Expression of serotonin and its 5-HT1A receptor in canine cutaneous mast cell tumours

Mast cells of a number of different animal species have been reported to contain serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), a monoamine capable of numerous and complex actions, which may include an impact on tumour growth. Limited previous studies have suggested that normal or neoplastic canine mast cells do not express 5-HT. In the present study, canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs) of Patnaik histological grades I-III were investigated immunohistochemically for expression of 5-HT and its receptor (R) 5-HT1A. The proportion of positively labelled cells and the intensity of labelling of individual cells were determined. Both 5-HT and the 5-HT1A receptor were expressed by non-neoplastic dermal mast cells and neoplastic mast cells. More neoplastic mast cells expressed 5-HT than the 5-HT1AR. Poorly differentiated tumours expressed fewer of both molecules, but the better differentiated mast cells at the periphery of such lesions had more consistent 5-HT expression. 5-HT and the 5-HT1A receptor may be involved in the differentiation of canine MCTs and in the microvascular complications associated with these neoplasms.