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. 2007 Aug 21:3:19.
doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-3-19.

CD117 immunoexpression in canine mast cell tumours: correlations with pathological variables and proliferation markers

Rui M Gil da Costa  1 , Eduarda Matos, Alexandra Rema, Célia Lopes, Maria A Pires, Fátima Gärtner
Affiliations

CD117 immunoexpression in canine mast cell tumours: correlations with pathological variables and proliferation markers

Rui M Gil da Costa et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous mast cell tumours are one of the most common neoplasms in dogs and show a highly variable biologic behaviour. Several prognosis tools have been proposed for canine mast cell tumours, including histological grading and cell proliferation markers. CD117 is a receptor tyrosine kinase thought to play a key role in human and canine mast cell neoplasms. Normal (membrane-associated) and aberrant (cytoplasmic, focal or diffuse) CD117 immunoexpression patterns have been identified in canine mast cell tumours. Cytoplasmic CD117 expression has been found to correlate with higher histological grade and with a worsened post-surgical prognosis. This study addresses the role of CD117 in canine mast cell tumours by studying the correlations between CD117 immunoexpression patterns, two proliferation markers (Ki67 and AgNORs) histological grade, and several other pathological variables.

Results: Highly significant (p < 0,001) correlations were found between CD117 immunostaining patterns and histological grade, cell proliferation markers (Ki67, AgNORs) and tumoral necrosis. Highly significant (p < 0,001) correlations were also established between the two cellular proliferation markers and histological grade, tumour necrosis and epidermal ulceration. A significant correlation (p = 0.035) was observed between CD117 expression patterns and epidermal ulceration. No differences were observed between focal and diffuse cytoplasmic CD117 staining patterns concerning any of the variables studied.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the key role of CD117 in the biopathology of canine MCTs and confirm the relationship between aberrant CD117 expression and increased cell proliferation and higher histological grade. Further studies are needed to unravel the cellular mechanisms underlying focal and diffuse cytoplasmic CD117 staining patterns, and their respective biopathologic relevance.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Membrane-associated CD117 immunostaining. Canine cutaneous MCT showing membrane-associated immunostaining for anti-CD117 antibodies. ABC 400×. Bar = 20 μm.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Focal cytoplasmic (Golgi-like) CD117 immnostaining. Canine cutaneous MCT showing focal cytoplasmic immunostaining for anti-CD117 antibodies. ABC 400×. Bar = 20 μm.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Diffuse cytoplasmic CD117 immnostaining. Canine cutaneous MCT showing diffuse cytoplasmic immunostaining for anti-CD117 antibodies. ABC 400×. Bar = 20 μm.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Correlations between Ki67 labelling index, AgNORs mean counts and CD117 staining patterns.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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