Decreased galectin-1 immunoreactivity of the skin in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

J Neurol Sci. 2003 Apr 15;208(1-2):67-70. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(02)00424-0.

Abstract

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease involving motor neurons. In addition to motor neuron signs and symptoms, a lack of bedsores has been considered a feature of ALS. Recently, we revealed that galectin-1 is a component of the axonal spheroid, which is an early pathological change of the spinal cord in ALS. To investigate whether galectin-1 is associated with skin changes in ALS, we performed an immunohistochemical investigation using anti-galectin-1 antibodies. The present study revealed that galectin-1 immunoreactivity is reduced in the skin of patients with ALS, suggesting that cutaneous galectin-1 is involved in the pathological process of ALS.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / immunology*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
  • Biopsy
  • Blotting, Western
  • Female
  • Galectin 1 / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Skin / immunology*
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • Galectin 1