Involvement of Galectin-1 Tumor Microenvironment in Radiosensitivity

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Immunology
• Radiotherapy

Background:

• Galectin-1 (galectin-1) plays a role in cancer radioresistance.
• Galectin-1 can be secreted into the extracellular matrix, suggesting both intracellular and extracellular effects.
• The tumor microenvironment's impact on galectin-1-mediated radiosensitivity requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of the galectin-1 tumor microenvironment in radiosensitivity.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which galectin-1 influences tumor response to radiation therapy in a murine model.

Main Methods:

• Utilized wild-type and galectin-1-down-regulated cancer cells (melanoma B16F10, lung cancer LLC1).
• Injected cells into wild-type or knockout mice (lacking galectin-1, B cells, or T cells).
• Administered irradiation (0 or 8 Gy) to assess tumor radiosensitivity.

Main Results:

• Galectin-1-down-regulated B16F10 cells exhibited increased radiosensitivity in galectin-1 knockout mice.
• Wild-type LLC1 tumors showed radioresistance in mice lacking galectin-1 and B cells.
• Wild-type LLC1 cells demonstrated radiosensitization in T cell knockout mice.

Conclusions:

• Endogenous galectin-1 contributes to radioresistance independently of extracellular galectin-1.
• Extracellular galectin-1 necessitates endogenous galectin-1 for tumor radiosensitization.
• The interplay between galectin-1, immune cells, and the tumor microenvironment impacts radiation response.