title: Characterization of α-, β- and p120-Catenin Expression in Feline Mammary Tissues and their Relation with E- and P-Cadherin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Abnormal catenin expression has been related to mammary carcinogenesis in both human and canine species and they are considered tumor- and invasion-suppressor molecules; however, in feline mammary tissues they have been scarcely studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  The immunohistochemical expression of α-, β- and p120-catenin was studied in a series of normal feline mammary glands, hyperplastic/dysplastic lesions and benign and malignant mammary tumors. Their relationship with clinicopathological parameters and with E- and P-cadherin expression was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Normal tissues, hyperplastic/dysplastic lesions and benign tumors expressed α-, β- and p120-catenin in the membrane of more than 75% of the luminal epithelial cells, while in malignant tumors, there was a reduction in their membranous expression and a p120-catenin cytoplasmic expression in 40%. Reduced α-catenin expression was related to tumor features with prognostic value, namely tumor size (p=0.0203) and necrosis (p=0.0205). The expression of α-, β- and p120-catenin were individually related to each other and collectively associated with E-cadherin expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results demonstrate a relationship between feline mammary carcinogenesis and decreased expression of catenins, suggesting that they may represent a valuable tool in the diagnosis of feline mammary neoplasms.
authors.affiliation: Vasco da Gama University School, Lordemão, Coimbra, Portugal Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Ana Catarina
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Figueira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Catarina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Vasco da Gama University School, Lordemão, Coimbra, Portugal Veterinary Hospital Baixo Vouga, Águeda, Portugal Animal Science and Veterinary Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Hugo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vilhena
authors.affiliation: Vasco da Gama University School, Lordemão, Coimbra, Portugal Veterinary Hospital Baixo Vouga, Águeda, Portugal Animal Science and Veterinary Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
authors.forename: Sónia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Research Centre for Biodiversity and Genetic Resources, University of Porto, Vairão, Portugal.
authors.forename: Júlio
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carvalheira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Animal Science Research Center Institute of Science and Technology Agricultural and Agri-Food, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Augusto J F
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: DE Matos
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Patrícia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dias-Pereira
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal fgartner@ipatimup.pt.
authors.forename: Fátima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gärtner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D015820:Cadherins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D063646:Carcinogenesis / Q000235:genetics; D051177:Catenins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051178:alpha Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000095002:Delta Catenin
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D000095002:Delta Catenin
keywords: Feline; cadherins; catenins; mammary tumours