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A key role for galectin‐1 in sprouting angiogenesis revealed by novel rationally designed antibodies
Author(s) -
Beijnum Judy R.,
Thijssen Victor L.,
Läppchen Tilman,
Wong Tse J.,
Verel Iris,
Engbersen Maurits,
Schulkens Iris A.,
Rossin Raffaella,
Grüll Holger,
Griffioen Arjan W.,
NowakSliwinska Patrycja
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.30131
Subject(s) - galectin , angiogenesis , monoclonal antibody , antibody , galectin 3 , biology , cancer research , in vivo , function (biology) , galectin 1 , microbiology and biotechnology , immunology , genetics
Galectins are carbohydrate binding proteins that function in many key cellular processes. We have previously demonstrated that galectins are essential for tumor angiogenesis and their expression is associated with disease progression. Targeting galectins is therefore a potential anti‐angiogenic and anti‐cancer strategy. Here, we used a rational approach to generate antibodies against a specific member of this conserved protein family, i.e. galectin‐1. We characterized two novel mouse monoclonal antibodies that specifically react with galectin‐1 in human, mouse and chicken. We demonstrate that these antibodies are excellent tools to study galectin‐1 expression and function in a broad array of biological systems. In a potential diagnostic application, radiolabeled antibodies showed specific targeting of galectin‐1 positive tumors. In a therapeutic setting, the antibodies inhibited sprouting angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, underscoring the key function of galectin‐1 in this process.