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Immunohistochemical expression of c-KIT protein in feline soft tissue fibrosarcomas
A J Smith1, B L Njaa, C G Lamm
1Department of Pathobiology, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, USA.
Abstract:
C-KIT is the cellular homolog of the feline sarcoma viral oncogene v-KIT, which encodes the tyrosine kinase receptor protein KIT. Mutations and varied expression of this gene have been demonstrated within multiple neoplasms in people and domestic animals. The purpose of this study was to determine if KIT protein is expressed in feline soft tissue fibrosarcomas (ST FSA) using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The computer database at the Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory was searched from January 1, 2006, to December 31, 2007, for any domestic cat with an ST FSA. Routinely stained slides from 46 feline ST FSAs were reviewed and graded based on the scale outlined by Kuntz et al. Immunohistochemistry for KIT protein was performed on one representative section from each cat. There were a total of 12/46 (26%) cats that were immunoreactive for KIT. Immunoreactivity was detected in greater than 80% of the neoplastic cells in 4/46 (9%) cats. Immunoreactivity was detected in less than 10% of the neoplastic cells in 8/46 (17%) cats. Immunoreactivity was characterized by evenly distributed cytoplasmic stippling within the neoplastic spindle-shaped cells and/or multinucleated giant cells. Based on these results, KIT immunoreactivity can be detected within feline ST FSAs using IHC. The results of this study also indicate that KIT immunoreactivity in feline ST FSA does not correlate with the histologic grade (P = .141, X(2) = 2.166), survivability (P = .241, X(2) = 1.373), or whether the neoplasm was a spontaneous or an injection site FSA (P = .074, X(2) = 3.184).
Insights
KIT protein is expressed in 26% of feline soft tissue fibrosarcomas (ST FSA). This KIT immunoreactivity did not correlate with tumor grade, survivability, or origin in the studied feline ST FSA cases.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- C-KIT, the cellular homolog of the feline sarcoma viral oncogene v-KIT, encodes the KIT tyrosine kinase receptor.
- Mutations and altered expression of the KIT gene are implicated in various human and animal neoplasms.
- Feline soft tissue fibrosarcomas (ST FSA) are common tumors in domestic cats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of KIT protein in feline ST FSAs.
- To determine the prevalence of KIT protein expression in these tumors.
- To assess potential correlations between KIT expression and clinicopathologic features.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 46 feline ST FSA cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2007.
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect KIT protein expression.
- Histologic grading and analysis of tumor origin (spontaneous vs. injection site) and survivability were conducted.
Main Results:
- KIT protein immunoreactivity was detected in 12 out of 46 (26%) feline ST FSAs.
- In 9% of cases, more than 80% of neoplastic cells showed KIT immunoreactivity.
- KIT immunoreactivity did not significantly correlate with histologic grade (P=.141), survivability (P=.241), or tumor origin (P=.074).
Conclusions:
- KIT protein can be detected in feline ST FSAs using immunohistochemistry.
- KIT expression in feline ST FSA is not associated with tumor grade, survivability, or etiology.
- Further research may explore the functional role of KIT in feline fibrosarcomagenesis.
