Unilaminar follicular cells transiently express galectin-3 during ovarian folliculogenesis in pigs

SummaryOvarian folliculogenesis in mammals is a complex process. Several compounds have been tested during in vitro culture of follicular cells for a better understanding of the mechanisms and factors related to ovarian folliculogenesis in mammals. From these compounds, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can be highlighted, as it is strongly associated with angiogenesis and, in recent years, its presence in ovarian cells has been investigated extensively. Previous studies have shown that the presence of VEGF protein, as well as mRNA expression of its receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) increases during follicular development. Therefore, it is likely that the interaction between VEGF and VEGFR-2 is crucial to promote follicular development. However, few studies on the influence of this factor on follicular development have been reported. This review addresses aspects related to the structural characterization and mechanism of action of VEGF and its receptors, and their biological importance in the ovary of mammals.

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Expression of Galectin-1 and Galectin-3 in Human Fetal Thyroid Gland

Journal of Histochemistry & Cytochemistry ◽

10.1177/002215540305100409 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 479-483 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Svetlana B. Savin ◽

Dubravka S. Cvejić ◽

Miroslava M. Janković

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Gland ◽

De Novo ◽

Thyroid Tissue ◽

Follicular Cells ◽

Thyroid Cells ◽

Cytoplasmic Staining ◽

Tissue Organization ◽

Galectin 3 ◽

Fetal Thyroid ◽

Thyroid Epithelium

High levels of expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3, the β-galactoside-binding proteins, have been recently described in malignant thyroid tumors but not in adenomas nor in normal thyroid tissue. However, there are no data about the expression of these galectins during fetal thyroid development. In this study we analyzed immunohistochemically the presence of galectin-1 and galectin-3 in human fetal thyroid glands (16–37 weeks of gestation). Weak to moderate cytoplasmic staining for galectin-1 was observed in follicular cells of all fetal thyroids. Galectin-3 could not be detected in thyroid follicular cells of any fetal thyroid investigated. Both galectins were detected in stromal tissue, but staining for galectin-1 was more intense. The absence of galectin-3 in thyroid cells during fetal development suggests that galectin-3 is expressed de novo during malignant transformation of thyroid epithelium, and that galectin-1 could be considered an oncofetal antigen. The results obtained indicated potential roles for galectin-1 and galectin-3 during the investigated period of human fetal thyroid gland development. Both galectins might participate in developmental processes regarding stromal fetal thyroid tissue organization, whereas galectin-1 might have a function in thyroid epithelium maturation.

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Pituitary Follicular Cells: Their Origin, Possible Function and Fate

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100050184 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 32 ◽

pp. 34-35

Author(s):

E. Horvath ◽

K. Kovacs ◽

G. Penz ◽

C. Ezrin

Keyword(s):

Fine Structure ◽

Secretory Granules ◽

Follicular Cells ◽

Human Pituitary ◽

Rat Pituitary ◽

Pituitary Glands ◽

Junctional Complexes

Follicular structures, in the rat pituitary, composed of cells joined by junctional complexes and possessing few organelles and few, if any, secretory granules, were first described by Farquhar in 1957. Cells of the same description have since been observed in several species including man. The importance of these cells, however, remains obscure. While studying human pituitary glands, we have observed wide variations in the fine structure of follicular cells which may lead to a better understanding of their morphogenesis and significance.

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Protective role of peroxiredoxin-4 in heart failure

Clinical Science ◽

10.1042/cs20191072 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 134 (1) ◽

pp. 71-72

Author(s):

Naseer Ahmed ◽

Masooma Naseem ◽

Javeria Farooq

Keyword(s):

Heart Failure ◽

Cardiac Fibroblasts ◽

Protective Role ◽

Oxidative Stress Markers ◽

Stress Markers ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Galectin 3 ◽

Consequent Increase ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Abstract Recently, we have read with great interest the article published by Ibarrola et al. (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2018) 132, 1471–1485), which used proteomics and immunodetection methods to show that Galectin-3 (Gal-3) down-regulated the antioxidant peroxiredoxin-4 (Prx-4) in cardiac fibroblasts. Authors concluded that ‘antioxidant activity of Prx-4 had been identified as a protein down-regulated by Gal-3. Moreover, Gal-3 induced a decrease in total antioxidant capacity which resulted in a consequent increase in peroxide levels and oxidative stress markers in cardiac fibroblasts.’ We would like to point out some results stated in the article that need further investigation and more detailed discussion to clarify certain factors involved in the protective role of Prx-4 in heart failure.

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