Role of adhesion molecules and proliferation hyperplasic, pre neoplastic and neoplastic lesions in canine prostate

E-cadherin and beta-catenin are component of adherens junctions in epithelial cells. Loss of these proteins have been associated with progression of prostatic diseases. We performed immunohistochemistry for E-cadherin, beta-catenin and Ki-67 on canine prostatic lesions. We analyzed the expression of these antibodies in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, n = 22), in pre neoplastic lesions Prostatic Intra-epithelial Neoplasia (PIN), n = 3 and Prostatic Inflammatory Atrophy (PIA), n = 7 and prostate carcinoma (PC, n = 10). In this study, a membranous expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin and nuclear expression of Ki-67 antigen were demonstrated. The proliferative index was statistically different between carcinomas and BPH and carcinomas and pre-neoplastic lesions. Like in men, the reduction of E-cadherin and increase of Ki-67 expression in neoplastic lesions in dog prostate may be related to the carcinogenic process in this gland.

Overexpression of vimentin in canine prostatic carcinoma

Canine prostatic tumours exhibit similarities to those of man and may represent a useful model system to explore the mechanisms of cancer progression. Tumour progression to malignancy requires a change from an epithelial phenotype to a fibroblastic or mesenchymal phenotype. Vimentin expression is associated with the invasive phenotype of human prostate cancer cells. The aim of the present study was to characterize immunohistochemically the expression of vimentin by canine prostatic carcinomas. Primary carcinomas and metastatic tumour foci both showed vimentin expression. This finding suggests that the acquisition of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype in canine prostatic carcinoma may be characterized by the presence of mesenchymal intermediate filament (vimentin) that could lead to a higher likelihood of metastasis.

Hemangiossarcoma cardíaco em cão. Relato de dois casos

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