Galectin-3 expression in human atherosclerotic lesions

The expression of galectin-3, a beta-galactoside-binding lectin, was studied in atherosclerotic lesions from specimens obtained from carotid endarterectomies, lower limb amputations, and thoracic aortas from autopsies of young adult trauma victims. Immunohistochemical staining with the monoclonal antibody M3/38 demonstrated the presence of galectin-3 in advanced atherosclerotic lesions from each of 13 cases of carotid endarterectomy and 16 lower limb amputations and in the thoracic aorta of 4 of 20 cases of trauma victim adults. Immunostaining did not detect galectin-3 in umbilical cord and normal thoracic aorta arteries and limb veins. Dual immunostaining with monoclonal antibodies M3/38 for galectin-3 and clone 1A4 for smooth muscle alpha-actin or HAM56 for human macrophage antigen showed that galectin-3 was localized predominantly in foam cells and macrophages and rarely (<5%) in the smooth muscle cells of atherosclerotic lesions. The incidence of galectin-3-positive cells was higher in the carotid artery atherosclerotic lesions, which are richer in foam cells, than in the lower limb atherosclerotic lesions, which are more fibrotic. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction showed a significantly higher ratio of galectin-3/beta-actin transcripts in 20 atherosclerotic arteries compared with that of 5 umbilical cord arteries. Western blot analysis confirmed a higher level of galectin-3 in atherosclerotic carotid and lower limb arteries compared with that of umbilical cord arteries. The increased expression of galectin-3 in atherosclerotic lesions suggests the involvement of this multifunctional protein in atherogenesis.