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Published on: November 18, 2016
E-cadherin expression in canine cutaneous histiocytomas
S J Baines1, E F McInnes, I McConnell
1Centre for Veterinary Science, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES.
The Veterinary Record
|April 22, 2008
Summary
Canine cutaneous histiocytoma, a common dog skin tumor, originates from Langerhans cells. These neoplastic cells consistently express E-cadherin, unlike infiltrating lymphocytes, confirming their unique cell lineage.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Dermatology
- Immunology
- Oncology
Background:
- Canine cutaneous histiocytoma is a prevalent skin neoplasm in dogs.
- Langerhans cells, a type of dendritic cell, reside in the epidermis and function as antigen-presenting cells.
- A key characteristic of Langerhans cells is their high expression of E-cadherin.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of E-cadherin in neoplastic Langerhans cells of canine cutaneous histiocytoma.
- To determine if E-cadherin expression differs between neoplastic Langerhans cells and infiltrating lymphocytes in these tumors.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze E-cadherin expression.
- Immunohistochemistry was performed to further assess E-cadherin presence.
- Samples from 37 dogs diagnosed with cutaneous histiocytoma were analyzed.
Main Results:
- E-cadherin was expressed by neoplastic Langerhans cells in all 37 cases studied.
- Infiltrating lymphocytes within the tumors did not express E-cadherin.
- This consistent expression highlights a unique feature of neoplastic Langerhans cells.
Conclusions:
- Neoplastic Langerhans cells in canine cutaneous histiocytoma consistently express E-cadherin.
- The absence of E-cadherin on infiltrating lymphocytes aids in distinguishing these cell populations.
- E-cadherin expression serves as a potential marker for Langerhans cell origin in canine skin tumors.
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