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Galectin-8 alters immune microenvironment and promotes tumor progression
Yiting Wang1,2, Yufan Sun3, Hai Li1
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Key Laboratory of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ministry of Health, Shanghai Institute of Digestive Disease, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Shanghai, China.
American Journal of Cancer Research
|July 10, 2023
Summary
Galectin-8 (Gal-8) promotes tumor immunosuppression by increasing suppressive immune cells and decreasing CD8+ T cells. This finding highlights Gal-8's potential as a prognostic and therapeutic target in cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Galectin-8 (Gal-8), encoded by the LGALS8 gene, is a Galectin family member with known tumor-modulating functions.
- Emerging evidence implicates Gal-8 in regulating innate and adaptive immunity, with elevated expression observed in tumors and immune dysregulation diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the role of Galectin-8 (Gal-8) in inducing tumor immunosuppression.
- To analyze Gal-8's impact on the tumor immune microenvironment using animal models and clinical data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of tumor-infiltrating immune cells in animal models of Gal-8 expressing tumors.
- Assessment of Gal-8 expression in clinical samples of breast and colorectal cancer.
- Correlation analysis of Gal-8 expression with lymph node metastasis and immunophenotyping.
Main Results:
- Gal-8 expressing tumors showed expansion of suppressive immune cells (Tregs, MDSCs) and a decrease in CD8+ T cells.
- Gal-8 expression patterns were classified in breast and colorectal cancer tissues.
- LGALS8 gene expression negatively correlated with infiltrated active CD8+ T cells and immune stimulatory modulators in cancers.
Conclusions:
- Galectin-8 (Gal-8) plays a significant role in regulating the tumor immune microenvironment, promoting immunosuppression.
- Gal-8 demonstrates potential as a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
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