Expression of tumour transcription factor GLI1 in canine mammary tumours tissue

Abstract

Background: Mammary tumor is one of the most common diseases of canine in pet clinics.

Objectives: This study investigates the distribution and expression of the tumor transcription factor GLI1 and the downstream proteins, Bmi1 and Sox2, in canine mammary tumors and paracancerous tissues.

Methods: Cancerous and paracancerous normal mammary tissues were detected using western blotting (WB), and immunohistochemistry.

Results: The results showed that the histopathology of different types in mammary tumors by microscopic observation. GLI1/Bmi1/Sox2 expression was significantly higher in canine mammary invasive carcinoma than in ductal carcinoma and adjacent normal mammary tissues (p < 0.01). The expression of GLI1 in invasive carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than Bmi1 and Sox2, while Sox2 expression in ductal carcinoma tissues was significantly higher than GLI1 and Bmi1 (p < 0.01). GLI1/Bmi1/Sox2 all showed positive reactions in both mammary tumor and adjacent normal mammary tissues with immunohistochemistry. GLI1 and Sox2 showed strong positive staining in the cytoplasm of invasive mammary carcinoma and ductal carcinoma cells, and weak positive staining in the nuclei. The positive Bmi1 reaction was mainly concentrated in the cytoplasm of invasive carcinoma and ductal carcinoma cells, while the positive reaction on the cell membrane was weak.

Conclusions: We speculate that GLI1 and related proteins play an important role in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of tumors. Therefore, it provides important reference for the pathogenesis and pathogenicity of canine mammary tumor.

Keywords: GLI1/Bmi1/Sox2; canine; expression; mammary tumours.