A new methodology for the improvement of diagnostic immunohistochemistry in canine veterinary pathology: automated system using human monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies

P-cadherin expression in feline mammary tissues

The search for molecular markers in the feline mammary gland, namely, the adhesion molecules belonging to the cadherin family, is useful in the understanding of the development of mammary carcinomas in felines and humans. To study P-cadherin expression in the feline mammary gland, 61 samples of normal (n = 4), hyperplastic (n = 12), and neoplastic (n = 45) feline mammary tissues were examined. In both normal and hyperplastic mammary tissues as well as in benign tumours, P-cadherin immunolabelling was restricted to myoepithelial cells. In malignant tumours, however, there was an aberrant epithelial P-cadherin immunoexpression in 64.1% (n = 25) of cases, with a membranous and/or cytoplasmic pattern of distribution. A statistically significant relationship was seen between epithelial P-cadherin expression and malignant mammary lesions (P = 0.0001). In malignant mammary tumours, there was likewise a statistically significant relationship between aberrant P-cadherin immunoexpression and histological grade (P = 0.0132). Aberrant epithelial P-cadherin expression seems to be related to malignancy in the feline mammary gland. To confirm the results of this investigation, further studies with larger samples and follow-up studies are warranted.

Assessment of cell proliferation and prognostic factors in canine mammary gland tumors

Three methods for the analysis of cell proliferation, mitotic index/10 high-power fields (10 HPF), mitotic index/four sets of 10 HPF (40 HPF), and MIB-1 index were evaluated in a series of canine mammary gland tumors, as well as the possible correlation between them. Fifty-six canine mammary gland tumors, including 23 benign and 33 malignant, were studied. In addition, the prognostic impact of mitotic index/10 HPF, and histological malignancy grade were evaluated in 17 malignant tumors, being seven ductal and 10 metaplastic carcinomas. The three methods used to evaluate cell proliferation were correlated with the prognostic impact of mitotic index/10 HPF and histological malignancy grade. The results showed a strong association between mitotic figure counts and MIB-1 index (P<0.0001). A correlation was observed between mitotic count per 40 HPF and MIB-1, and between mitotic index per 10 HPF and 40 HPF (P<0.05). Moreover, histological malignancy grade and mitotic figure counts were excellent prognostic factors during three-year follow-up (P<0.05). There was a correlation between the three methods used for the evaluation of cell proliferation and prognostic factors as observed in human breast cancer studies.

Nuclear estrogen and progesterone receptors in the oviduct of heifers under natural and superovulated estrous cycles

Oviducts from 22 crossbred heifers were examined for the presence of nuclear estrogen (ERalpha) and progesterone (PR) receptors at different phases (estrus, metaestrus and diestrus) of naturally occurring estrous cycles and estrous cycles during which superovulation was induced. Receptors were detected by immunohistochemistry in the epithelial cells, connective tissue and muscular layer of oviductal infundibulum, ampulla, ampullary/isthmic transition and isthmus. Epithelial ERalpha was found along the entire oviduct regardless of the cycle phase and of the circulating concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)). Epithelial PR was found mainly at the ampullary-isthmic transition and isthmus and more intensely at the estrus phase but their amount was not correlated with P(4) concentrations. ERalpha in the connective tissue was more abundant at the infundibulum and ampulla, regardless of the phase of the estrous cycle and of E(2) and P(4) circulating concentrations. PR in the connective tissue was found mostly at the ampulla, regardless of the estrous cycle phase but no correlations were found between amount and P(4) concentrations. ERalpha staining intensity in the muscular layer was similar at all phases of the estrous cycle and at all anatomical segments of the oviducts. However, PR staining was more intense at the isthmus during the metaestrus phase and it was negatively correlated with P(4) concentrations. In general, data from the present research suggest that P(4) exerts an inhibitory role upon ERalpha and PR. Also, no differences were found between animals subjected or not to superovulation.

c-erbB-2 expression and nuclear pleomorphism in canine mammary tumors

The objective of the present investigation was to study the expression of c-erbB-2 and MIB-1 and try to associate them with morphological features of the cell such as nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic count and histological grade in a series of 70 canine mammary gland tumors, 22 of them benign and 48 malignant. Tumors were collected at the Veterinary Hospital of UFMG (Brazil) and the Veterinary Faculty of Porto University (Portugal). c-erbB-2 expression was determined according to the guidelines provided by the manufacturer of the HercepTest system and nuclear pleomorphism, mitotic count and histological grade according the Elston and Ellis grading system. The HercepTest is the FDA-approved in vitro diagnostic test marketed by Dako. It is a semi-quantitative immunohistochemical assay used to determine overexpression of HER2 protein (human epidermal growth factor receptor) in breast cancer tissue. MIB-1 expression was also evaluated in 28 malignant tumors. Seventeen (35.4%) of the malignant tumors were positive for c-erbB-2 expression, which was positively associated with nuclear pleomorphism (P < 0.0001), histological grade (P = 0.0017) and mitotic count (P < 0.05). Nuclear pleomorphism also showed a positive association with MIB-1 index (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that some of the biological and morphological characteristics of the tumor are associated in canine mammary gland tumors, as also reported for human breast cancer. It was also possible to show that the immunoexpression of c-erbB-2 can be a factor in mammary carcinogenesis. This fact opens the possibility of using anti-c-erbB-2 antibodies in the treatment of canine mammary tumors.

Pleomorphic lobular carcinoma of the canine mammary gland: histopathologic and immunohistochemical features

This report describes the morphological and immunohistochemical findings of a case of mammary gland pleomorphic lobular carcinoma occurring in the canine species. Histologically, it was characterized by the presence of tumor cells loosely dispersed in the stroma or arranged in a linear pattern showing relatively abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm with an eccentric nuclei. These morphological features, characteristic of pleomorphic mammary gland lobular carcinoma in woman, were not previously described in dogs.