Mucin 6 and Tn Antigen Expression in Canine Mammary Tumours: Correlation with Pathological Features

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2012

Authors

Tavares, C (Author) Other; de Oliveira, JT (Author) Other; Lopes, C (Author) Other; carvalheira, j (Author) ICBAS; Augusto Matos (Author) ICBAS; Rutteman, G (Author) Other; Celso Reis (Author) ICBAS; Fátima Gärtner (Author) ICBAS

Journal

Title: Journal of Comparative Pathology

Vol. 147

Pages: 410-418

ISSN: 0021-9975

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 4 Citations

Scopus - 3 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-3TM

DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2012.03.007

Abstract (EN): Overexpression of mucins is known to decrease cell-to-cell adhesion and thus to facilitate the invasion of cancer cells through the extracellular matrix. Mucin 6 (MUC6) is overexpressed and aberrantly O-glycosylated in human breast cancer, serving as a carrier for one of the most specific cancer-associated antigens, Tn antigen. Despite its relevance in breast cancer, MUC6 expression has not yet been characterized in canine mammary tumours (CMTs). The aims of this study were to assess the expression of MUC6 and Tn antigen in 55 benign and 77 malignant CMTs of different histological types and to investigate possible correlations with pathological features. MUC6 and Tn antigen were found to be significantly overexpressed in malignant compared with benign CMTs. MUC6 was significantly overexpressed in simple and complex carcinomas compared with simple and complex adenomas, respectively. When considering only the epithelial population, significant MUC6 overexpression was observed in carcinosarcomas when compared with benign mixed tumours. In addition, MUC6 was significantly overexpressed in simple compared with complex carcinomas. Finally, double-labelling immunofluorescence performed on seven malignant CMTs showed MUC6 and Tn co-expression. Therefore, MUC6 and Tn antigen overexpression is associated with malignant phenotypes of CMTs.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9