E-cadherin expression in canine mammary carcinomas with regional lymph node metastases.
E-cadherin (E-cad) is a cell adhesion molecule known for its tumour invasion-suppressor function. This study investigated the immunohistochemical expression of E-cadherin in 19 cases of malignant mammary tumours of the dog and the relationship between E-cadherin expression in primary tumours and in regional lymph node metastases. E-cadherin expression is not always parallel in the primary tumour and in the lymph node metastasis. One year follow-up was available in 12 of 19 cases. Three different patterns of expression were revealed in the lymph node metastases compared with the primary tumour: downregulation when the protein expression was weaker in the metastasis than in the primary tumour; upregulation when E-cadherin was stronger in the lymph node than in the primary tumour, and a similarly intense expression when it was equal in the metastasis and in the tumour. The lymph node pattern revealed a prevalent upregulation or downregulation with respect to the primary tumour, whereas a similar expression of E-cadherin was encountered in less than 50% of cases.
Brunetti
B
B
Department of Veterinary Public Health and Animal Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Bologna, Italy.
Sarli
G
G
Preziosi
R
R
Leprotti
S
S
Benazzi
C
C
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D015820:Cadherins