Correlation of histological grade and expression of adhesion molecules in canine mammary gland carcinomas

Abstract

The histological grade is usually used as a prognostic factor in canine mammary gland carcinomas, but the actual biological behaviour is not always in accordance with this available tool. Disrupted expression of cell adhesion molecules is a very promising way how to predict possible tumour spread. The goal of this study was to detect and quantify the expression of adhesion molecule E-cadherin and β-catenin by means of immunofluorescence and relate the findings with the histological grade in 18 samples of canine mammary gland carcinomas. There is a disruption of β-catenin and E-cadherin expression in canine mammary carcinoma. Significantly positive correlation was found between the expression index of E-cadherin and β-catenin with the histological grade. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in the membrane index (MI) of β-catenin expression was found between groups of canine mammary carcinomas (CMCs) grade I and II, grade I and III, grade II and III. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in the MI of E-cadherin expression was also found between groups of CMCs grade I and II, grade I and III, grade II and III. A significant difference (P < 0.05) in the cytoplasmic index (CI) of β-catenin expression was found between groups of CMCs grade I and II, grade I and III. In the case of CI expression of E-cadherin, no significant difference was found in the expression of E-cadherinin CMCs of different grade. The results of the study show that these adhesion molecules could be promising markers in determining the prognosis of patients with CMCs.