bromochloroacetic-acid and Cat-Diseases

Published surveys of feline neoplasia have not specifically included biliary cystadenoma, and there is only one case report in the literature. This report is a compilation of 13 feline cases and provides a description of clinical, pathologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural aspects of biliary cystadenoma as well as a discussion of comparative pathology of biliary cystadenoma in human beings and speculative histogenesis.

Topics: Adenoma, Bile Duct; Animals; Bile Duct Neoplasms; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cystadenoma; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Liver; Male; Microscopy, Electron

A 7-year-old nulliparous Chinchilla queen was admitted to a veterinary clinic for routine ovariohysterectomy. Examination of the uterus, greater omentum and varicose ovarian veins revealed multiple thin-walled cysts filled with a transparent fluid over the serosal surfaces of these organs. Histologically, the cysts were of variable size, filled with a small amount of mucinous fluid, and had thin walls that contained hypocellular collagen and a few small calibre vessels. The inner and outer epithelium of the cyst walls and the cells that lined the uterine serosa were immunopositive for cytokeratin and vimentin, suggesting a mesothelial origin. Alpha-smooth muscle actin immunolabelling was patchy or continuous in smooth muscle in the wall of many of the cysts.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cysts; Female; Keratins; Omentum; Peritoneum; Uterus

Feline mammary tumors are usually malignant and aggressive carcinomas. Most cases are simple monophasic carcinomas (1 epithelial population), and additional phenotyping is usually not needed. In this study, we describe 10 malignant mammary tumors from 9 female cats that had unusual histomorphology: they appeared biphasic, with 2 distinct cell populations. Initially, they were morphologically diagnosed as either carcinosarcoma (1/10) or malignant pleomorphic tumor (9/10) of the mammary gland, as the latter did not match any previously described histological subtype. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed for pancytokeratin, cytokeratins 8 and 18, cytokeratin 14, cytokeratins 5 and 6, vimentin, p63, calponin, alpha-smooth muscle actin, Ki-67, ERBB2, estrogen receptor alpha, and progesterone receptor. In 7 of 10 cases, the biphasic nature was confirmed and, on the basis of the IHC results, they were classified as carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma (4/10), ductal carcinoma (1/10), and carcinosarcoma (2/10). The other 3 of 10 cases were monophasic based on IHC. In the cases of carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma, the malignant myoepithelial cells were 100% positive for vimentin (4/4) and variably positive for p63, calponin, and cytokeratins (4/4). These findings show that, although rare, biphasic mammary carcinomas do occur in cats. In dogs and humans, tumors composed of malignant epithelial and myoepithelial cells have a less aggressive behavior than certain simple carcinomas, and therefore, their identification might also be clinically significant in the cat.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Calcium-Binding Proteins; Calponins; Carcinoma; Carcinoma, Ductal; Carcinosarcoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dogs; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Microfilament Proteins; Myoepithelioma; Sarcoma; Vimentin

A neutered female domestic shorthaired cat was presented for a rapidly growing left cervical mass and a 6-month history of primary hyperthyroidism. Cytological examination of the mass was consistent with a sarcoma. Due to poor clinical response the cat was humanely destroyed and a post-mortem examination was performed. This revealed a markedly enlarged, irregularly shaped left thyroid gland with signs of infiltration of the trachea. The contralateral (right) thyroid was also moderately enlarged and irregularly shaped. Histopathological examination of the cervical masses indicated bilateral thyroid carcinosarcomas, evidenced by positive immunohistochemical labelling for vimentin, pan-cytokeratin and thyroid transcription factor-1 of the appropriate cell populations. The cat also had a concurrent pulmonary adenocarcinoma (papillary-lepidic type), unrelated to the thyroid neoplasm. Thyroid carcinosarcoma is an uncommonly recorded canine and human neoplasm and this is the first case of this entity to be reported in a cat.

Topics: Animals; Carcinosarcoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Keratins; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms; Vimentin

The authors herein describe the morphologic and immunohistochemical features of normal Merkel cells as well as the clinicopathologic findings of Merkel cell carcinoma in cats. Merkel cells were characterized as vacuolated clear cells and were individually located in the epidermal basal layer of all regions examined. Clusters of Merkel cells were often observed adjacent to the sinus hair of the face and carpus. Immunohistochemically, Merkel cells were positive for cytokeratin (CK) 20, CK18, p63, neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and protein gene product 9.5. Merkel cell carcinoma was detected as a solitary cutaneous mass in 3 aged cats (13 to 16 years old). On cytology, large lymphocyte-like cells were observed in all cases. Histologic examinations of surgically resected tumors revealed nests of round cells separated by various amounts of a fibrous stroma. Tumor cells were commonly immunopositive for CK20, CK18, p63, neuron-specific enolase, and synaptophysin, representing the characteristics of normal Merkel cells.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Merkel Cell; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Keratins; Male; Merkel Cells; Neurons; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase; Skin Neoplasms; Synaptophysin

Four cases of tumors in which cell internalization was frequently visualized are reported: one feline mammary carcinoma, one feline cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, one canine pulmonary squamous cell carcinoma and one canine pleural mesothelioma. Cell internalization was observed by cytology in two of these cases (the feline mammary tumour and the pleural effusion in the canine mesothelioma) and by histopathology in all but the canine mesothelioma. Immunohistochemical staining for pancytokeratin was positive for both internalized and host cells, while E-cadherin expression was frequently absent, although internalized cells occasionally stained positive. This cell-to-cell interaction seems to be associated with tumors displaying a strong epithelial-mesenchymal transitional phenotype, in which cancer cells become engulfed by other cancer cells. Such event could be regarded as an important hallmark of very high malignancy.

Topics: Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Biopsy; Cadherins; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cytophagocytosis; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Lung Neoplasms; Male; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Mesothelioma; Pleural Neoplasms; Skin Neoplasms

Amyloid-producing odontogenic tumors (APOT) are rare, and in cats, the histogenesis of the amyloid remains undetermined. In the present study, APOTs in 3 cats were characterized by immunohistochemistry, and the amyloid components analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry. Antiameloblastin antibodies labeled both neoplastic epithelial cells and amyloid in all cases. Neoplastic epithelial cells had strong, diffuse immunoreactivity to antibodies against cytokeratin AE1/AE3, cytokeratin 14, and cytokeratin 19 in all cases and focal immunoreactivity to nerve growth factor receptor antibodies in 2 of 3 cases. Amyloid and some tumor stromal cells were weakly positive for laminin. Calretinin, amelogenin, S100, and glial fibrillary acidic protein antibodies did not label neoplastic epithelial cells or amyloid. Extracted amyloid peptide sequences were compared to the porcine database because the cat genome is not yet complete. Based on this comparison, 1 identical ameloblastin peptide was detected in each tumor. These results suggest that feline APOTs and the amyloid they produce are of ameloblastic lineage.

Topics: Amyloid; Animals; Antibodies; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dental Enamel Proteins; Epithelial Cells; Female; Illinois; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Male; Odontogenic Tumors; Sus scrofa; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

The molecular characterization of mammary tumours represents a new stage in the development of effective predictive models and targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the molecular phenotype of a primary feline mammary tumour and that of a related lymph node metastasis. Twenty-one mammary tumour samples and their lymph node metastases were selected and evaluated immunohistochemically for expression of oestrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (c-erbB-2), cytokeratin 5/6, cytokeratin 14, cytokeratin 19 and protein 63. Mammary tumours were classified into five subtypes: luminal A, luminal B, c-erbB-2 overexpressing, basal-like and normal-like, based on an algorithm applied in both human and veterinary medicine. Concordance between the primary tumour and its lymph node metastasis was detected in 12 of 21 cases (57.1%). In the remaining nine cases (42.9%) there was discordance in the molecular profile at the two sites. Therefore, the tumour molecular profile must be evaluated in both sites in order to obtain definitive identification of the tumour profile (or profiles) and to plan an appropriate therapy.

Topics: Algorithms; Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cat Diseases; Cats; ErbB Receptors; Female; Keratins; Lymph Nodes; Lymphatic Metastasis; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Phenotype; Receptors, Estrogen; Receptors, Progesterone

Feline mammary carcinomas are highly aggressive neoplasms. Several mechanisms are thought to be involved in their progression, including the loss of epithelial adhesion molecules. The present study was carried out on 21 adenomas and 139 mammary carcinomas. Of the carcinomas, 66 were not reported to have metastasized, while the remaining 73 had evidence of regional lymph node metastasis at the moment of diagnosis. The relationship was examined between the expression of the E-cadherin-β-catenin complex and basal (CK5/6, CK14) and luminal (CK8/18) cytokeratin expression. In the medical literature, carcinomas expressing basal cytokeratins are reported as having a poor prognosis in human breast cancer. Results revealed that preservation of the expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin is a significant feature of carcinomas without metastasis, whereas carcinomas with metastasis reveal the loss of one or both adhesion molecules. Additionally, basal cytokeratin expression was statistically associated with the presence of regional metastasis. Furthermore, the expression of E-cadherin-β-catenin was significantly correlated with the high expression of CK18 and low expression of CK5/6.

Topics: Adenoma; Animals; beta Catenin; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cadherins; Carcinoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Lymphatic Metastasis; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Neoplasm Grading; Vimentin

A 1.5-year-old female, intact, clinically healthy cat presented for a subcutaneous mass of the ventral abdomen. Surgical excision and microscopic examination of the mass were performed. Histologically, this was a discrete, unencapsulated, multilobular, expansile mass, which compressed the surrounding normal mammary tissue. Lobules were composed of tubuloacinar structures formed by atypical round to polygonal cells, which contained foamy to microvacuolated cytoplasm and variably sized, intracytoplasmic, distinct vacuoles causing nuclear peripheralization. Neoplastic cells demonstrated intense and diffuse immunoreactivity for cytokeratin and lacked immunoreactivity for vimentin. The vacuolar contents stained positively with Oil RedO and negatively with periodic acid-Schiff and Alcian blue stains. Histomorphologic, histochemical, and immunohistochemial analysis support a diagnosis of lipid-rich mammary carcinoma. This is the first report of a cat with a lipid-rich variant of mammary carcinoma.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Lipid Metabolism; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal

A 6-year-old, spayed, female, domestic shorthair cat was presented for decreased activity. A nodular lesion was found in the skin extending into the subcutaneous tissue of the right abdominal flank. On lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs of the thorax, an opacity involving the entire right caudal lung lobe and pleural effusion were noted. Cytologic evaluation of cells in the thoracic fluid and in the mass revealed a population of atypical epipthelial cells with marked anisocytosis and high N:C ratios, organized in acinar-like clusters. Multinucleated cells and several mitotic figures were found. The cytologic interpretation was carcinoma. Because of the progressive severity of clinical signs, the cat was euthanized. Histologic evaluation of tissues obtained at necropsy indicated a bronchogenic adenocarcinoma in the lung, with metastasis to the skin of the right flank, but no involvement of the digits. Based on immunohistochemical stains, the neoplastic cells strongly co-expressed cytokeratin and vimentin, and were negative for S-100 and actin-specific antigen. Bronchogenic adenocarcinoma is an uncommon neoplasm in cats, and the digits are the most common sites of metastasis. This case was unusual in that the skin of the abdominal wall was the primary site of metastasis, with no involvement of the digits.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Pleural Effusion, Malignant; Skin Neoplasms; Vimentin

Esophageal carcinoma was observed in an eight-year-old, castrated male, Japanese domestic cat. Histologically, this neoplasm consisted of two different growth patterns, squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. The results of immunohistochemical examination supported the fact that the two kinds of neoplastic cells have different characteristics. The tumor was, therefore, diagnosed as adenosquamous carcinoma. Esophageal tumors in the cat are very rare and, if any, neither adenocarcinoma nor adenosquamous carcinoma has been reported up to the present.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoembryonic Antigen; Carcinoma, Adenosquamous; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cell Division; Diagnosis, Differential; Esophageal Neoplasms; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Male; Mucous Membrane

A keratinolytic protease secreted by a feline clinical isolate of Microsporum canis cultivated in a broth containing feline keratin as the sole nitrogen source was purified from the culture filtrate by affinity chromatography on bacitracin-agarose and by hydrophobic chromatography on octyl-agarose. The enzyme had an apparent molecular mass of 43.5 kDa and the pI was 7.7. It had a significant activity against keratin azure, elastin-Congo red and denatured type I collagen (azocoll). Using the latter substrate, the optimum pH was around 8 and the apparent optimum temperature around 50 degrees C. The protease was strongly inhibited by 1,10-phenanthroline, phosphoramidon and EDTA. The first 13 N-terminal amino acid sequence showed a 61% homology with that of the extracellular metalloprotease of Aspergillus fumigatus and with the neutral protease I of A. oryzae, confirming that this 43.5 kDa keratinase is a metalloprotease. This keratinolytic metalloprotease could be a virulence-related factor involved in pathophysiological mechanisms of M. canis dermatophytosis.

Topics: Amino Acid Sequence; Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dermatomycoses; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; Keratins; Metalloendopeptidases; Microsporum; Molecular Sequence Data

Forty-seven feline and 60 canine epithelial tumors were studied to test the coordinate expression of cytokeratin 7 (CK 7) and cytokeratin 20 (CK 20) using commercially available monoclonal antibodies and an avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase staining technique. Previously, the distribution of both cytokeratins was examined in normal tissues from 4 cats and 4 dogs. The pattern of distribution of CK 7 in normal tissues was similar, with minor differences, to that described in humans, whereas the reactivity pattern of CK 20 in cats and dogs was wider than that in humans. The subset of tumors strongly expressing CK 7 and CK 20 included pancreatic adenocarcinomas (100%), transitional cell carcinomas (75%), and endometrial carcinomas (67%) in the cat. None of the canine tumors had this immunophenotype. Feline (50%) and canine (56%) mammary gland carcinomas and canine cholangiocarcinomas (67%) were the only tumors presenting the CK 7 +/CK 20- immunophenotype, whereas the CK 7-/CK 20+ immunophenotype included thyroid carcinomas (100%), intestinal adenocarcinomas (60%), bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (50%), and renal carcinomas (50%) in the cat and intestinal adenocarcinomas (56%), gastric adenocarcinomas (50%), and ovarian carcinomas (50%) in the dog. The CK 7-/CK 20- immunophenotype included the rest of the analyzed tumors. The immunohistochemical evaluation of coordinate expression of both CK 7 and CK 20 in feline and canine carcinomas using monoclonal antibodies provides important information that can help to discriminate among carcinomas from different primary sites and could be particularly helpful in the determination of the primary site of origin of carcinomas presenting as metastatic disease.

Topics: Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Carcinoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Immunohistochemistry; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Intestine, Large; Keratin-20; Keratin-7; Keratins; Liver; Male; Mammary Glands, Animal; Ovary; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Pituitary Gland; Reference Values; Stomach; Tongue; Urinary Bladder

Carcinomas of salivary gland ducts are described in five cats. The typical histological pattern was the formation of large cell aggregates resembling dilated ducts, often with central necrosis and a looping pattern. All tumours were labelled with antibody to cytokeratins (CKs) 5, 6, 8, 14, 17 and 19. Labelling of tumour cells with CK14 suggested basal cell differentiation. All tumours stained with Jack bean (Canavalia ensiformis) agglutinin (Con A); this is a feature of normal salivary gland ducts but is seen in other salivary gland tumours. Staining of tumour cells at the luminal surface of ductal structures with wheat germ (Triticum vulgaris) agglutinin (WGA) in the cat tumours was similar to that seen in ducts of normal cat salivary glands but occurs in other cat tumours. Other immunohistochemical staining results were unremarkable. 1999 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Biomarkers, Tumor; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Keratins; Male; Salivary Ducts; Salivary Gland Neoplasms

Histological, immunohistochemical and electron microscopical studies revealed one feline and four canine calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumours in 115 oral tumours over a 10-year period. The tumours consisted of islands and sheets of odontogenic epithelium of varying size within a stroma of fibrous connective tissues. The tumour cells were pleomorphic with variable amounts of eosinophilic cytoplasm and large hyperchromatic, polymorphic nuclei with prominent nucleoli. Clusters of keratinized tumour cells ("shadow cells") were frequently seen within the islands and sheets. The multiple spherules of homogeneous eosinophilic material stained positively with Congo red and Dylon stains and produced an apple green birefringence under polarization microscopy, indicative of amyloid. Mineralized foci were scattered throughout the tumour masses and in the homogeneous spherules. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells reacted with anti-human keratin antibody, but not with anti-human vimentin or anti-chicken desmin antibodies. The homogeneous spherules did not react with anti-human keratin, anti-human vimentin, anti-chicken desmin, anti-amyloid A, anti-laminin or anti-human collagen (type I, III, IV) antibodies. Ultrastructurally, the cytoplasm of tumour cells was abundant and contained a large number of electron-dense bundles of tonofilaments. The homogeneous spherules consisted of fine filaments measuring about 10-12 nm in diameter.

Topics: Amyloid; Animals; Calcinosis; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Female; Keratins; Male; Mandibular Neoplasms; Maxillary Neoplasms; Neoplasm Proteins; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Odontogenic Tumors; Osteolysis; Retrospective Studies

Twenty-eight epithelial and 22 nonepithelial feline tumors were studied immunohistochemically. Epithelial tumors were 10 squamous cell carcinomas, two basal cell tumors, two sebaceous gland carcinomas, three apocrine gland carcinomas, three thyroid papillary carcinomas, one thyroid solid carcinoma, one renal clear cell carcinoma, one renal papillary carcinoma, one endometrial carcinoma, and four lung bronchioloalveolar carcinomas. Nonepithelial tumors were 10 fibrosarcomas, one liposarcoma, one leiomyosarcoma, one rhabdomyosarcoma, one hemangiosarcoma, two mast cell tumors, one osteosarcoma, three melanomas, and two lymphomas. Commercially available antibodies directed against high- and low-molecular-weight keratins (keratin, RCK-102, NCL-5D3), vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament intermediate filament (IF) proteins were used in the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex technique on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue samples. All epithelial tumors except the endometrial carcinoma expressed some type of keratin protein. Squamous cell carcinomas expressed high-molecular-weight keratins exclusively. Coexpression of high- and low-molecular-weight keratins was observed in one basal cell tumor, sebaceous and apocrine adenocarcinomas, and thyroid, renal, and lung carcinomas. In addition to keratins, vimentin immunoreactivity was found in all basal cell tumors, all sebaceous gland, thyroid papillary, renal, and lung adenocarcinomas, and one of the apocrine gland adenocarcinomas. Immunoreactivity with GFAP antibody was found in one basal cell tumor and one sebaceous gland adenocarcinoma. The endometrial carcinoma did not react with any of the antibodies applied. Nonepithelial tumors analyzed expressed either vimentin (fibrosarcomas, liposarcoma, haemangiosarcoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcomas, melanomas) or vimentin and desmin (leiomyosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, one fibrosarcoma) IF proteins exclusively. Lymphomas did not react with any of the antibodies employed. These findings indicate that IF proteins antibodies can be included in diagnostic panels of antibodies for immunocharacterization of feline tumors. In addition, they can be used as a basis for the diagnoses of poorly differentiated or undifferentiated feline neoplasms.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Desmin; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; Immunohistochemistry; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Keratins; Kidney; Kidney Neoplasms; Lung Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial; Neurofilament Proteins; Skin Neoplasms; Thyroid Gland; Thyroid Neoplasms; Vimentin

Thirty-seven feline and 38 human spontaneous mammary gland carcinomas were studied immunohistochemically. Commercially available antibodies directed against high and low molecular weight keratins (RCK-102 and NCL-5D3), vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament (NF) proteins and muscle actin (HHF35) were used in the avidin biotin peroxidase complex (ABC) technique on formalin-fixed paraffin wax-embedded tumour tissue samples. Healthy feline and human mammary gland tissue adjacent to the neoplasms was also examined. The distribution pattern of intermediate filament proteins and muscle actin was comparable in healthy mammary gland tissue of the two species: both RCK-102 and NCL-5D3 antibodies reacted with luminal epithelial cells of ducts and acini, but basal/myoepithelial cells were stained by RCK-102 exclusively. In addition, basal/myoepithelial cells expressed vimentin and muscle actin in both species, and GFAP was found in some feline basal/myoepithelial cells. No immunoreactivity to desmin and NF proteins was observed. Feline mammary gland carcinoma cells reacted with RCK-102 (89%), NCL-5D3 (62%), vimentin (76%) and GFAP (30%) antibodies, while human mammary gland carcinoma cells reacted with RCK-102 (95%), NCL-5D3 (100%) and vimentin (13%) antibodies. HHF35 immunoreactivity was observed in stromal cells only. These results indicate that mammary gland carcinomas of both species share a heterogeneous immunophenotype with respect to intermediate filament proteins, which adds to the list of known similarities between mammary gland carcinomas of both species.

Topics: Actins; Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Breast; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Keratins; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal

Expression of keratins (cytokeratins, CK) known to be suitable markers for different types of epithelial differentiation was analyzed in specimens of feline mammary tissue. A panel of specific anti-CK monoclonal antibodies (MAb) was used to determine CK distribution pattern in normal feline tissues (n = 3), and in benign (n = 18) and malignant (n = 20) feline mammary tumors. In selected tumors, the CK distribution pattern was also determined by biochemical methods. A MAb specific for alpha-smooth muscle actin was used to discriminate between myoepithelial cells and luminal epithelial cells. In normal mammary gland tissues, 6 MAb reacted exclusively, either with myoepithelial cells or with luminal epithelial cells. Luminal epithelial cells reacted with MAb specific for CK typical of simple epithelia, whereas myoepithelial cells reacted with MAb specific for CK in basal cells of stratified epithelia. A similar distribution of CK was detected in specimens from benign tumors, except that CK4 was not detected in normal mammary gland tissues and was detected in some ducts in specimens with adenosis. Almost all tumor cells in specimens from malignant tumors reacted with MAb specific for CK typical of simple epithelia. Concomitant expression of CK typical of stratified epithelia was detected in small or large subpopulations of tumor cells in 70% of carcinomas. Cytokeratins typical of basal cell layers and typical for suprabasal layers of inner stratified epithelia were detected. Cytokeratins typical of stratified epithelia were always found in areas of squamous metaplasia, but also were found in adenocarcinomal cells surrounding these areas.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Topics: Adenofibroma; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; Keratins; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mammary Neoplasms, Animal; Metaplasia; Precancerous Conditions

A cystic mass in the anterior mediastinum of a 9-year-old female European Shorthair cat was classified as a lymphocytic thymoma based on its histopathological features which were in accordance with those reported in the literature concerning feline thymomas. The application of a polyclonal keratin antiserum and monoclonal keratin antisera RCK 102, RKSE 60 and RGE 53 resulted in staining of foetal feline thymic cells, oesophageal epithelial cells as well as numerous stellate tumour cells and Hassall's corpuscles. As a result, the epithelial origin of the neoplastic cells could be established and the classification of thymoma confirmed. The results indicate the value of keratin antisera in the differentiation of thymoma and non-epithelial tumours in the anterior mediastinum.

Topics: Animals; Cat Diseases; Cats; Female; Immune Sera; Keratins; Staining and Labeling; Thymoma; Thymus Neoplasms

Specimens of neoplastic tissues from 19 dogs and 4 cats were examined immunohistochemically for intermediate filament expression, using commercially available antibodies. Staining was observed in a wide range of tumor tissues and in normal internal controls by use of antibodies to vimentin, desmin, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and low and high molecular weight cytokeratins. Intermediate filament expression was found to be consistent with light and/or electron microscopic findings, and hence believed to be an accurate indicator of tumor histogenesis in cats and dogs. Three fixatives were evaluated for their relative abilities to preserve antigenicity. Absolute alcohol was superior to B5 fixative and both were superior to formalin. Some tissues that clearly displayed intermediate filament antigens with alcohol and B5 fixative failed to stain when fixed in formalin.

Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Animals; Astrocytoma; Cat Diseases; Cats; Cytoskeleton; Desmin; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Immunohistochemistry; Intermediate Filament Proteins; Intermediate Filaments; Keratins; Leiomyosarcoma; Melanoma; Neoplasms; Neurilemmoma

Topics: Animals; Carrier State; Cat Diseases; Cats; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Guinea Pigs; Keratins; Mycoses; Trichophyton