An integrative view on the roles of galectin-3 in innate immunity and its participation in cancer

• Grant number: 10/18363-4
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International
• Start date: May 02, 2011
• End date: May 01, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Roger Chammas
• Grantee: Roger Chammas
• Visiting researcher: Emerson Soares Bernardes
• Visiting researcher institution: Universidade do Porto (UP), Portugal
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

There is growing evidence that inflammation modifies the different steps of the carcinogenic process. Inflammatory mediators play a protumoral role within the tumor microenvironment. Elements of innate immunity, triggered or activated in part by inflammatory mediators are associated with elimination of tumor cells. At the same time, tumor cells which are resistant to this first line of attack are favored by other micro environmental elements, such as endothelial cells. Identification of molecules that play multifunctional roles and could be present either in tumor cells or micro environmental cells has been useful in the design of strategies to control tumor growth. We have been focusing on the roles of galectin-3 in several aspects of carcinogenesis and more recently in the interface of tumor cells with effectors of innate immunity. Evidence for a role of galectin-3 in specialized microenvironments such as hipoxic areas and tumor emboli point to a possible protumorigenic role of galectin-3. Dr. Bernardes visit will allow a more systematic approach in aspects involving the roles of galectin-3 in innate immunity. (AU)