RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Activation of the Wnt/Beta-catenin Signaling Pathway during Oral Carcinogenesis Process Is Not Influenced by the Absence of Galectin-3 in Mice JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 2805 OP 2811 VO 31 IS 9 A1 JULIANA MOREIRA DE ALMEIDA SANT'ANA A1 ROGER CHAMMAS A1 FU-TONG LIU A1 SUELY NONOGAKI A1 SÉRGIO VITORINO CARDOSO A1 ADRIANO MOTA LOYOLA A1 PAULO ROGÉRIO DE FARIA YR 2011 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/31/9/2805.abstract AB 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.