Proliferative Activity, Apoptosis and Expression of Oestrogen Receptor and Bcl-2 Oncoprotein in Canine Mammary Gland Tumours
Resource
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY v.134 n.1 pp.70-79
Journal
JOURNAL OF COMPARATIVE PATHOLOGY
Journal Volume
v.134
Journal Issue
n.1
Pages
70-79
Date Issued
2006
Date
2006
Author(s)
CHANG, KING-JEN
Abstract
Samples of 39 canine mammary gland tumours (MGTs) were examined immunohistochemically for oestrogen receptor (ER- alpha), Bcl-2 protein and Ki67 antigen, and by TUNEL assay for apoptosis. ER-alpha was expressed by 80% (31/39) of the tumours, including all of the 15 benign tumours and 67% (16/ 42) of the malignant tumours. ER-alpha expression was greater in the benign than in the malignant tumours (P < 0. 01). Bcl-2 protein was detected in 62% (24/39) of the MGTs, of which 67% (10/15) were benign and 58% (14/24) malignant. No significant difference in Bcl-2 expression between benign and malignant tumours was detected. The Ki67 and TUNEL indices were greater in malignant than in benign tumours (P < 0.01). Correlation analysis suggested that ER-a and Bcl-2 expression were related , but this observation lacked statistical significance. The levels of cell proliferation and apoptosis did not appear to be significantly correlated with the expression of Bcl-2. A positive relationship was apparent between cell proliferation and apoptosis, whilst a negative correlation between ER-a and cell proliferation was demonstrated. In conclusion, the suggestion of a positive correlation between ER-alpha and Bcl-2 in canine MGTs indicates that ER may be the regulator of Bcl-2 protein, as in human breast cancer. In contrast to cell proliferation and apoptosis, ER-a and Bcl-2 expression were greater in benign MGTs than in their malignant counterparts. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Subjects
apoptosis
Bcl-2 oncoprotein
cell proliferation
dog
mammary tumour
oestrogen receptor
SDGs
Type
journal article