Evaluation of the immunohistochemical expression of Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 in the colon of chronic chagasic patients

Objective and design: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 in the colon of chronic chagasic patients compared to biopsied non-chagasic patients. Material or subjects: Thirty-two colon fragments were selected from chagasic patients with megacolon (n = 25) and nonchagasic patients without megacolon (n = 7). Methods: Immunohistochemistry for Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 was performed using a common light microscope and the results were scored 0-3 according to labeling intensity. Data were analyzed statistically by the chi-square test. Results: Higher Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 expression was observed in the myenteric plexus ganglia of chagasic patients compared to non-chagasic patients, p = 0.0487, p = 0.0019 and p = 0.0325, respectively, whereas no significant differences were observed between groups regarding the expression of Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 in the muscle layer. Conclusion: Since Gal-1, Gal-3 and Gal-9 galectin expression was higher in the myenteric plexus ganglia of chagasic patients, we believe that these lectins may be associated with ganglionitis in the chagasic megacolon. However, since the present study was the first to report the participation of Gal-9 in Chagas disease, further investigations are needed to elucidate the role of galectin 9 in this disease. (C) 2017 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.