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Adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins in the human eye: localization profiles and tissue reactivities as a standard to detect disease-associated alterations

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Abstract

Objectives

To characterize the localization profiles of seven adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins in the normal human eye using immunodetection of endogenous galectins and binding of labeled galectins to sections, useful as a basis to detect disease-associated alterations.

Methods

Non-cross-reactive anti-galectin antibodies and biotinylated galectins were tested on acetone-fixed cryosections of normal human donor eyes. Controls included omission of first-step reagent, testing of an antibody against a galectin specific for rat (galectin-5), and blocking of galectin binding with lactose.

Results

Galectin presence was not restricted to one or few members of this family. Signal occurrence can even include all tested or most proteins (conjunctival or corneal epithelium), whereas choroid positivity is fully accounted for by galectin-9. Regional specificity and characteristic profiles for each protein, immuno- and galectin histochemically, were determined. Differences in tissue reactivity among the galectins were detected.

Conclusions

That the galectins have characteristic localization/reactivity profiles supports the concept of a network with potential for non-overlapping functions. The reported data thus prompt to proceed to the respective analysis of specimens from ocular diseases.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful for generous financial support of this study by the research training grant GRK 592 (DFG), the project grant SFB 466 and research grant JA 968/2, all from the German Research Council, and by the EC (funding for GlycoHIT: contract no. 26060).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Universitätsaugenklinik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Schwabachanlage 6, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt

  2. Lehrstuhl für Physiologische Chemie, Tierärztliche Fakultät, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Veterinärstraße 13, 80539, Munich, Germany

    Sabine André, Herbert Kaltner & Hans-Joachim Gabius

  3. Abteilung Innere Medizin 3, Universitätsklinikum, Friedich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Glückstraße 4a, 91054, Erlangen, Germany

    Christina Janko & Martin Herrmann

  4. Abteilung Angewandte Tumorbiologie, Pathologisches Institut, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Im Neuenheimer Feld 220, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany

    Jürgen Kopitz

Authors
  1. Ursula Schlötzer-Schrehardt
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  2. Sabine André
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  3. Christina Janko
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  4. Herbert Kaltner
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  5. Jürgen Kopitz
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  6. Hans-Joachim Gabius
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  7. Martin Herrmann
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Correspondence to Jürgen Kopitz.

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Schlötzer-Schrehardt, U., André, S., Janko, C. et al. Adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins in the human eye: localization profiles and tissue reactivities as a standard to detect disease-associated alterations. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 250, 1169–1180 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2021-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-012-2021-9

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