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The expression of platelet-derived growth factor and its receptor in canine and feline meningiomas
Ryo Saito1, James K Chambers1, Kazuyuki Uchida1
1Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Feline meningiomas usually have benign biological behavior, while canine and human meningiomas are often classified as grade 2 or 3. Activation of the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptor signal pathway through PDGFβ/Rβ autocrine and paracrine is considered to play an important role in the tumor proliferation and malignant transformation of human meningiomas. However, there have been few studies about the expression of these molecules in canine meningiomas and no studies about their expression in feline meningiomas. We analyzed the PDGFα/Rα and PDGFβ/Rβ expression in canine and feline meningiomas by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. Immunohistochemically, most canine meningiomas showed the expression of PDGFα (42/44; 95.5%), PDGFRα (44/44; 100%) and PDGFRβ (35/44; 79.5%), and a few showed the expression of PDGFβ (8/44; 18.2%). In contrast, feline meningiomas were immunopositive for PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in all cases (14/14; 100%), while no or a few cases expressed PDGFα (0/14; 0%) and PDGFβ (2/14; 14.3%). Western blotting revealed specific bands for PDGFα, PDGFRα and PDGFRβ, but not for PDGFβ in a canine meningioma. In a feline meningioma, specific bands for PDGFRα and PDGFRβ were detected, but not for PDGFα and PDGFβ. These results suggested that canine meningiomas commonly express PDGFα/Rα, and thus autocrine or paracrine PDGFα/Rα signaling may be involved in their initiation and progression. Moreover, PDGF negativity may be related to benign biological behavior and a low histopathological grade in feline meningioma.
Insights
Canine meningiomas often express platelet-derived growth factor alpha/receptor alpha (PDGFα/Rα) signaling, potentially driving tumor growth. Feline meningiomas, however, show PDGF negativity, correlating with their typically benign behavior.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Canine and human meningiomas exhibit higher grades than typically benign feline meningiomas.
- Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and its receptor signaling pathways are implicated in human meningioma proliferation and malignancy.
- Limited research exists on PDGF pathway expression in canine meningiomas and none in feline meningiomas.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of PDGFα/Rα and PDGFβ/Rβ in canine and feline meningiomas.
- To explore the potential role of PDGF signaling in the pathogenesis of canine and feline meningiomas.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was employed to analyze protein expression in meningioma tissues.
- Western blotting was utilized to confirm the presence of specific PDGF pathway molecules.
Main Results:
- Canine meningiomas frequently expressed PDGFα (95.5%), PDGFRα (100%), and PDGFRβ (79.5%), with less frequent PDGFβ expression (18.2%).
- Feline meningiomas showed universal expression of PDGFRα (100%) and PDGFRβ (100%), but lacked PDGFα (0%) and had minimal PDGFβ expression (14.3%).
- Western blot analysis corroborated immunohistochemistry findings, detecting specific bands for PDGFα, PDGFRα, and PDGFRβ in canine meningiomas, and PDGFRα and PDGFRβ in feline meningiomas.
Conclusions:
- Common expression of PDGFα/Rα in canine meningiomas suggests involvement in tumor initiation and progression via autocrine or paracrine signaling.
- The absence of PDGF expression in feline meningiomas may correlate with their generally benign biological behavior and lower histopathological grade.
