COX-2, mPGES-1 and EP2 receptor immunohistochemical expression in canine and feline malignant mammary tumours.
Prostaglandin (PG) signalling is involved in human and animal cancer development. PG E2 (PGE2 ) tumour-promoting activity has been confirmed and its production is controlled by Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and microsomal PGE synthase-1 (mPGES-1). Evidence suggests that mPGES-1 and COX-2 contribute to carcinogenesis through the EP2 receptor. The aim of our study was to detect by immunohistochemistry COX-2, mPGES-1 and EP2 receptor expression in canine (n = 46) and feline (n = 50) mammary tumours and in mammary non-neoplastic tissues. COX-2 positivity was observed in 83% canine and 81% feline mammary carcinomas, mPGES-1 in 75% canine and 66% feline mammary carcinomas and the EP2 receptor expression was observed in 89% canine and 54% feline carcinomas. The frequency of COX-2, EP2 receptor and mPGES-1 expression was significantly higher in carcinomas than in non-neoplastic tissues and adenomas. COX-2, mPGES-1 and EP2 receptor expression was strongly associated. These findings support a role of the COX-2/PGE2 pathway in the pathogenesis of these tumours.
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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F
Millanta
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Asproni
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Canale
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Citi
Department of Veterinary Science, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
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Poli
D000236:Adenoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002415:Cats; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary*; D015674:Mammary Neoplasms, Animal / Q000378:metabolism; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D058307:Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D058307:Receptors, Prostaglandin E, EP2 Subtype; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D000071876:Prostaglandin-E Synthases
COX-2; EP2 receptor; cat; dog; mPGES-1; mammary carcinoma