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  • Title: Galectin-3 surface expression on human adult chondrocytes: a potential substrate for collagenase-3.
    Author: Guévremont M, Martel-Pelletier J, Boileau C, Liu FT, Richard M, Fernandes JC, Pelletier JP, Reboul P.
    Journal: Ann Rheum Dis; 2004 Jun; 63(6):636-43. PubMed ID: 15140769.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Galectin-3 is a lectin detected in mature and early hypertrophic chondrocytes; osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes can re-express hypertrophic markers. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the synthesis and subcellular localisation of galectin-3 in adult chondrocytes as well as the possibility of cleavage of galectin-3 by collagenase-1 and -3. METHODS: Galectin-3 was assessed by immunohistochemistry and real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in normal and OA cartilage. Its localisation was investigated by subcellular fractionation, immunocytology, and flow cytometry. Proteolysis of galectin-3 by collagenase-1 and -3 was determined by in vitro assay. RESULTS: Galectin-3 expression was increased 2.4-fold as measured by reverse transcriptase (RT)-PCR (p<0.05, n = 5) and threefold by immunohistochemistry (p<0.003 n = 6) in OA cartilage compared with normal cartilage. In adult chondrocytes, galectin-3 was found in the cytosol and membrane enriched fractions. Both immunocytology and flow cytometry confirmed the presence of galectin-3 at the surface of chondrocytes. A strong correlation was found between integrin-beta1 and galectin-3 expression at the surface of chondrocytes. Moreover, collagenase-3 cleaved galectin-3 with a higher activity than collagenase-1. The proteolysed sites generated were identical to those produced by gelatinases A and B. CONCLUSION: Galectin-3 may play a part in OA, having two roles, one intracellular and not yet identified, and another at the cell surface, possibly related to the interaction of chondrocytes and the cartilage matrix.
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