Figure 6

Galectin-3 expression and function. (a) Galectin-3 transfection of HEK-293 cells leads to galectin-3 cell surface expression (∼49.5%). Native or mock-transfected HEK-293 cells were galectin-3 negative. The thin line represents the isotype control Ab and the thick line represents galectin-3 Ab. The percentage of galectin-3 expression is indicated. Representative data out of two independent experiments are shown. (b) Western blot analysis of galectin-3 expression. Native or mock-transfected HEK-293 cells do not express galectin-3. Galectin-3 transfection of HEK-293 cells leads to massive galectin-3 expression. β-Actin served as loading control (40 kDa). A representative western blot is shown out of two independent experiments. (c) Galectin-3-mediated changes of cell morphology. At 48 h of galectin-3 transfection to HEK-293 cells, the cell morphology was evaluated by phase-contrast microscopy. (I) Native HEK-293 cells showed spreading and adhered to the surface of the culture plate. No cell aggregation occurred. (II) Mock-transfected HEK-293 cells appeared like native HEK-293 cells. (III) Galectin-3 transfected HEK-293 cells showed massive cell aggregation. Original magnification is × 200. Representative data form one out of five independent experiments are shown.