%0 Journal Article %A JULIANA MOREIRA DE ALMEIDA SANT'ANA %A ROGER CHAMMAS %A FU-TONG LIU %A SUELY NONOGAKI %A SÉRGIO VITORINO CARDOSO %A ADRIANO MOTA LOYOLA %A PAULO ROGÉRIO DE FARIA %T Activation of the Wnt/Beta-catenin Signaling Pathway during Oral Carcinogenesis Process Is Not Influenced by the Absence of Galectin-3 in Mice %D 2011 %J Anticancer Research %P 2805-2811 %V 31 %N 9 %X Background/Aim: Galectin-3 has been associated with activated Wnt pathway, translocating beta-catenin into the nucleus. However, it is still unknown whether this lectin drives the Wnt signaling activation in lesions from galectin-3-deficient (Gal3−/−) mice. The purpose was to study beta-catenin expression in tongue lesions from Gal3−/− and wild-type (Gal3+/+) mice and the status of Wnt signaling. Materials and Methods: Twenty Gal3−/− and Gal3+/+ male mice were challenged with 4-nitroquinolin-1-oxide and killed at week 16 and 32. Tongues were processed and stained with H&E to detect dysplasias and carcinomas. An imunohistochemical assay was performed to evaluate beta-catenin expression. Results: Carcinomas were more evident in Gal3+/+ than Gal3−/− mice (55.5% vs. 28.5%, respectively; p>0.05). Elevated expression of non-membranous beta-catenin was observed in dysplasias and carcinomas from both groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: Absence of galectin-3 does not interfere in the pattern of beta-catenin expression and therefore in the mediation of the Wnt signaling pathway. %U https://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/anticanres/31/9/2805.full.pdf