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Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
Galectin-3 overexpression protects from apoptosis by improving cell adhesion properties
P Matarrese1, O Fusco, N Tinari
1Department of Ultrastructures, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Overexpressing galectin-3 in breast cancer cells enhances their adhesion to the extracellular matrix and promotes survival. This suggests galectin-3 may drive tumor invasion and metastasis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Galectin-3 is a protein that binds carbohydrates and is involved in cell interactions.
- It is hypothesized to play a role in tumor progression and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of galectin-3 in tumor invasion and metastasis.
- To evaluate the impact of elevated galectin-3 expression on breast carcinoma cell features.
Main Methods:
- Stable overexpression of galectin-3 in human breast carcinoma cell lines.
- Assessment of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, cell survival, and cytoskeletal remodeling.
Main Results:
- Galectin-3 overexpression enhanced cell adhesion to laminin, fibronectin, and vitronectin, partly via integrin modulation (e.g., alpha-4, beta-7).
- Cytoskeletal elements associated with cell spreading (microfilaments) were remodeled.
- Cells with higher galectin-3 expression showed increased survival against apoptotic stimuli like cytokines and radiation.
Conclusions:
- Overexpression of galectin-3 promotes tumor cell invasion and metastasis.
- Galectin-3 influences cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix, conferring a survival advantage and resistance to anoikis.
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