Galectin-1-expression and effect on proliferation and migration of glioma cells

Galectins are evolutionarily highly conserved, glycoprotein- recognizing lectins involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) has been associated with migration and invasion in malignant gliomas. We examined here the expression of Gal-1 in glioma cell lines and its influence on proliferation and migration. We detected Gal-1 in all 12 tested cell lines by Western Blot and flow cytometry. Levels of Gal-1 were higher in the tumour cells than in normal brain and higher in cell lines with wildtype as compared with mutated p53. Irradiation induced Gal-1 expression. Recombinant Gal-1 moderately enhanced proliferation in U118 cells and migration in A172 and U118 glioma cells. Downregulation with RNA-interference resulted in reduced proliferation in A172 cells and migratory capacity in both tested glioma cell lines. Our data confirm previous data on the impact of Gal-1 on the migration of glioma cells. Therefore, Gal-1 may be an interesting target to modulate migration and invasion in human gliomas.