Evaluation of the immunohistochemical expression of Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 in the colon of chronic chagasic patients

Publication date: Available online 20 April 2017
Source:Pathology - Research and Practice
Author(s): Marcela Beghini, Márcia Fernandes de Araújo, Viviane Oliveira Severino, Renata Margarida Etchebehere, Denise Bertulucci Rocha Rodrigues, Sanívia Aparecida de Lima Pereira
Objective and designThe aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 in the colon of chronic chagasic patients compared to biopsied non-chagasic patients.Material or subjectsThirty-two colon fragments were selected from chagasic patients with megacolon (n=25) and nonchagasic patients without megacolon (n=7).MethodsImmunohistochemistry for Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 was performed using a common light microscope and the results were scored 0 to 3 according to labeling intensity. Data were analyzed statistically by the chi-square test.ResultsHigher Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 expression was observed in the myenteric plexus ganglia of chagasic patients compared to non-chagasic patients, p=0.0487, p=0.0019 and p=0.0325, respectively, whereas no significant differences were observed between groups regarding the expression of Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 in the muscle layer.ConclusionSince Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 galectin expression was higher in the myenteric plexus ganglia of chagasic patients, we believe that these lectins may be associated with ganglionitis in the chagasic megacolon. However, since the present study was the first to report the participation of Gal-9 in Chagas disease, further investigations are needed to elucidate the role of galectin 9 in this disease.



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