Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 21, 2026

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics
11:28

Isolation and Characterization of a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Subpopulation Having Stem Cell Characteristics

Published on: May 11, 2016

Loss of adhesion/growth-regulatory galectin-9 from squamous cell epithelium in head and neck carcinomas

Zdeněk Fík1, Jaroslav Valach, Martin Chovanec

  • 1Institute of Anatomy, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, U Nemocnice, Prague, Czech Republic.

Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine : Official Publication of the International Association of Oral Pathologists and the American Academy of Oral Pathology
|June 2, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Galectin-9 is found in normal head and neck squamous epithelium but absent in squamous cell carcinoma. This lectin may serve as a potential marker for normal epithelial tissue.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Galectins are key regulators of cell adhesion and growth.
  • The complex network of galectins requires individual study.
  • Galectin-9, a tandem-repeat type, is the focus of this research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression patterns of galectin-9 in normal and cancerous head and neck squamous epithelium.
  • To evaluate galectin-9 as a potential diagnostic marker.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemical analysis of galectin-9 and keratins 14/19 in normal epithelium, surgical margins, and squamous cell carcinoma.
  • Testing of biotinylated galectin-9 and its N-terminal domain.
  • Neuraminidase treatment to assess lectin binding.

Main Results:

  • Galectin-9 was detected in the basal layer of normal squamous epithelium.
  • Aberrant keratin 14 and 19 expression was observed in galectin-9-negative epithelia.
  • All squamous cell carcinoma specimens were negative for galectin-9.
  • Neuraminidase treatment enhanced N-domain reactivity.

Conclusions:

  • Galectin-9 is expressed in normal squamous epithelium and may be a marker of normality.
  • Its absence in squamous cell carcinoma suggests a role in tumorigenesis.
  • Further research into galectin-9's function in epithelial tissues is warranted.

More Related Videos

Three-Dimensional (3D) Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay12:19

Three-Dimensional (3D) Tumor Spheroid Invasion Assay

Published on: May 1, 2015

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids10:43

Modeling Oral-Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in 3D Organoids

Published on: December 23, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Notch Signaling Pathway03:14

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...
Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions01:20

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily  involved in a...
Selectins01:25

Selectins

Cell adhesion is  an essential aspect of multicellularity. While stable cell interactions usually occur between cells of the same type, transient cell interactions occur between cells of different tissue types, such as between neutrophils and endothelial cells. Selectins are one class of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) that bind carbohydrate ligands to form transient cell adhesion. They are rod-like proteins with a long extracellular part of variable length ending with the lectin domain, which...
Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:12

Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions01:12

Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...