Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
Isolation and Culture of Primary Endothelial Cells from Canine Arteries and Veins
Published on: November 18, 2016
Mast cells in canine cutaneous hemangioma, hemangiosarcoma and mammary tumors
Moges Woldemeskel1, Sreekumari Rajeev
1Department of Pathology, Tifton Veterinary Diagnostic and Investigational Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, 43 Brighton Rd, Tifton, GA, 31793, USA. mwoldem@uga.edu
Insights
Mast cells are more numerous in canine mammary adenocarcinoma than adenoma, suggesting a role in tumor growth. Mast cell count correlates with blood vessel density in mammary cancer, indicating involvement in canine neoplasm neovascularization.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Immunology
Background:
- Mast cells (MCC) are immune cells implicated in various physiological and pathological processes.
- Neovascularization, or angiogenesis, is crucial for tumor growth and metastasis.
- Canine mammary neoplasms and cutaneous vascular tumors present opportunities to study mast cell roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mast cell count (MCC) in canine cutaneous vascular and mammary neoplasms.
- To assess the relationship between mast cells and micro-vessel density (MVD) as a measure of angiogenesis.
- To determine if mast cells play a role in the neovascularization of these canine tumors.
Main Methods:
- Mast cell count (MCC) was determined in 45 dogs using Toluidine blue stained sections of cutaneous hemangioma (HA), hemangiosarcoma (HSA), mammary adenoma (AD), and mammary adenocarcinoma (AC).
- Micro-vessel density (MVD) was assessed using antibodies against Factor VIII and VEGF to identify hot spots.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare MCC and MVD between tumor types and to evaluate correlations.
Main Results:
- Total MCC and MCC at invasive edges were significantly higher in canine mammary adenocarcinoma (AC) compared to mammary adenoma (AD) (p < 0.001).
- No significant difference in total MCC was observed between hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and hemangioma (HA) (p > 0.05).
- A non-significant positive correlation (r = 0.14, p = 0.3172) was found between hot spot MCC and MVD in mammary AC, suggesting an association between mast cells and angiogenesis.
Conclusions:
- Mast cells are significantly more abundant in canine mammary adenocarcinoma than adenoma.
- Mast cells appear to be associated with angiogenesis in canine mammary adenocarcinoma.
- Mast cells may contribute to neovascularization in canine cutaneous vascular and mammary neoplasms.
- Further research correlating MCC and MVD with clinical outcomes is recommended.
Abstract:
Mast cell count (MCC) in 45 dogs with cutaneous hemangioma (HA, n = 12), hemangiosarcoma (HSA, n = 12), mammary adenoma (AD, n = 9) and mammary adenocarcinoma (AC, n = 12) was made using Toluidine blue stained sections. Antibodies against endothelial cell markers, Factor VIII and VEGF were used to visualize and determine the hot spot micro-vessel density (MVD). Total MCC and MCC along the invasive edges were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in canine mammary AC than in AD. The total MCC did not significantly differ (p > 0.05), in HSAs (8.6 +/- 3.3) than in HAs (5.5 +/- 2.8). There is a positive correlation (r = 0.14) between the hot spot MCC and MVD in mammary AC, although not significant (p = 0.3172), indicating that mast cells are associated with angiogenesis in canine mammary AC. This study suggests that mast cells may play an important role in neovascularization of canine cutaneous vascular and mammary neoplasms. Detailed studies encompassing correlation of MCC and MVD with clinical outcomes and prognosis in these neoplasms are recommended.
