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Updated: Feb 12, 2026

Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors
Published on: June 7, 2018
Galectins: Multitask signaling molecules linking fibroblast, endothelial and immune cell programs in the tumor
María T Elola1, Fátima Ferragut1, Santiago P Méndez-Huergo2
1Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas Prof. Dr. Alejandro Paladini (UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, C1113 Ciudad de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
Tumor cells corrupt surrounding normal cells instructing them to support proliferative, pro-angiogenic and immunosuppressive networks that favor tumorigenesis and metastasis. This dynamic cross-talk is sustained by a range of intracellular signals and extracellular mediators produced by both tumoral and non-tumoral cells. Galectins -whether secreted or intracellularly expressed- play central roles in the tumorigenic process by delivering regulatory signals that contribute to reprogram fibroblasts, endothelial and immune cell programs. Through glycosylation-dependent or independent mechanisms, these endogenous lectins control a variety of cellular events leading to tumor cell proliferation, survival, migration, inflammation, angiogenesis and immune escape. Here we discuss the role of galectin-driven pathways, particularly those activated in non-tumoral stromal cells, in modulating tumor progression.
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