American Journal of Medical and Clinical Sciences. 2017; 1(1):(6-126)


Presence of galectin-1 in the epidermal and dermal thickening of keloid tissues

Enrique Arciniegas, Luz Marina Carrillo, Héctor Rojas, Richard Ramírez, Idalina Martínez, Andreyna Rodríguez, Jacinto Pineda

Abstract

Background: Keloids are recognized as benign dermal fibroproliferative tumors that result from aberrant wound healing in susceptible individuals. Nevertheless, the etiology and pathophysiology of keloids is not fully elucidated yet. A protein that has been implicated in the wound healing process, conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and production of ECM components, inflammation, and generation of galectin-glycan complexes, is galectin-1 (Gal-1). However, its presence as well as its implications in benign dermal fibroproliferative tumors such as keloids, has not been completely elucidated. Therefore, in this study we investigated the presence and localization of Gal-1 in keloid tissues. 

Methods: Seven biopsies from patients diagnosed with keloid were selected. Four normal skin specimens were obtained from patients undergoing aesthetic surgery procedures. To identification of collagen bundles, some histological sections were stained following the Mason’s trichrome protocol. The presence of Gal-1 was assessed by immunofluorescence staining using confocal laser scanning microscopy. 

Results: Immunostaining revealed that Gal-1 was present in the uppermost cell layers of the thickened epidermis with a gradient of expression that seems to increase from basal layer to suprabasal layers. Surprisingly, Gal-1 was particularly found outlining the cellular margin and intercellular bridges of the upper-spinous and granular keratinocytes and was absent in the epidermal keratinocytes of normal adult human skin. Interestingly, in the reticular dermis the presence of Gal-1 was noticeable in the cytoplasm of elongated fibroblasts that were forming cellular bundles of collagen and along the thick and compact collagen bundles, whereas in the dermis of normal skin, Gal-1 immunoreactivity was weak in some fibroblasts. 

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in keloid tissues Gal-1 would not only be regulating the dermal fibroblast proliferation, ECM production, particularly collagen, and abnormal vascularization, but would also be contributing to the altered stratification and terminal keratinocyte differentiation and importantly, to epidermal thickening.

Most Viewed Article
  • Evaluation of Effectiveness of Modified Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Performed on Children with Cerebral Palsy by a Home-Treatment Program
    Hiroshi Tanabe, Hirofumi Tanabe, Shosaku Okuda, Toshimasa Mikawa, Yoshimi Sakurai, Yuichi Takata.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/25001

  • Risk Factors Associated with the Onset of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with A History of Gestational Diabetes at The University Hospital of Kinshasa
    Tandu Umba A, Mbungu Mwimba R, Kahindo Muyayalo P, Mbangama Muela A, Lumaya Ambis J, Mwimba Mbungu N, Kelele Goy Sambwa, Lukunda Diansambu P, Kinkenda Nsiangangu B.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24025

  • Crisis of Soul II
    Julian Ungar-Sargon
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24024

  • The Importance of Family Involvement in the Treatment of Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    Eda Gorbis, Jenny C Yip, Aanya Jajoo.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24023

  • Double Diabetes: Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome in Sudanese Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
    Alaa Ali Elsharief Hammad, Abdelaziz SI, Salih H. S. Hamid.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24022

Most Downloaded
  • Evaluation of Effectiveness of Modified Pediatric Constraint-Induced Movement Therapy Performed on Children with Cerebral Palsy by a Home-Treatment Program
    Hiroshi Tanabe, Hirofumi Tanabe, Shosaku Okuda, Toshimasa Mikawa, Yoshimi Sakurai, Yuichi Takata.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/25001

  • Risk Factors Associated with the Onset of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with A History of Gestational Diabetes at The University Hospital of Kinshasa
    Tandu Umba A, Mbungu Mwimba R, Kahindo Muyayalo P, Mbangama Muela A, Lumaya Ambis J, Mwimba Mbungu N, Kelele Goy Sambwa, Lukunda Diansambu P, Kinkenda Nsiangangu B.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24025

  • Crisis of Soul II
    Julian Ungar-Sargon
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24024

  • The Importance of Family Involvement in the Treatment of Pediatric Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
    Eda Gorbis, Jenny C Yip, Aanya Jajoo.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24023

  • Double Diabetes: Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome in Sudanese Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
    Alaa Ali Elsharief Hammad, Abdelaziz SI, Salih H. S. Hamid.
    » Abstract » doi: 10.33425/2832-4226/24022