Resumen de Galectin fingerprinting in Warthin´s tumors: lectin-based approach to trace its origin?

Sven Saussez, Laurence de Leval, C. Decaestecker, Nicolas Sirtaine, Stéphanie Cludts, Anaelle Duray, Dominique Chevalier, Sabine André, H.-J. Gabius, Myriam Remmelink, Xavier Leroy

• Warthin´s tumor of the parotid gland is assumed to originate from the proliferation of epithelial inclusions within parotid lymph nodes. In that case, these cells are supposed to retain characteristics similar to common salivary gland ductal cells. Using immunohistochemical fingerprinting with four members of the family of adhesion/growth-regulatory galectins and comparison to intra- and interlobular ducts, marked similarities were noted for presence of galectins-3, -7 and -8. Notably, profiles of lectin binding, determined by applying human lectins as probes, were also similar when testing biotinylated galectins-3 and -8. Besides defining the galectin histochemical para meters in Warthin´s tumors this study adds support to the hypothesis of heterotopia.