JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Transferrin Receptor-1: Expression in Canine Mammary Tumours and In Vitro Therapeutic Applications

  • 0Department of Comparative Biomedicine, Health and Food Science, University of Padua, Legnaro, Italy.
Veterinary and Comparative Oncology +

|

June 23, 2025

|

June 23, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Transferrin receptor-1 (TFR-1) is variably expressed in canine mammary tumors (CMTs). An engineered human apoferritin nanocage loaded with doxorubicin (HFn(DOX)) showed potential as a cancer therapy, particularly in primary CMT cells.

Area Of Science

  • Veterinary Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Nanomedicine

Background

  • Transferrin receptor-1 (TFR-1) is overexpressed in human cancers, presenting a target for drug delivery.
  • TFR-1 expression and therapeutic potential in canine cancers are poorly understood.
  • Canine mammary tumors (CMTs) are common in female dogs and share similarities with human breast cancer.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate TFR-1 expression in various canine mammary tumor (CMT) subtypes and cell lines.
  • To evaluate the in vitro efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded human apoferritin nanocages (HFn(DOX)) compared to free doxorubicin in CMT cells.

Main Methods

  • TFR-1 expression was analyzed in CMT tissues and two CMT cell lines (primary CIPp and metastatic CIPm) using molecular and cellular assays.
  • In vitro drug efficacy was assessed by comparing HFn(DOX) treatment with conventional doxorubicin on CIPp and CIPm cell lines.

Main Results

  • TFR-1 was significantly higher in tumoral CMT tissues than hyperplastic tissues, particularly in carcinoma and malignant myoepithelioma subtypes.
  • While protein expression showed no difference, TFR-1 gene expression was higher in the metastatic CIPm cell line.
  • HFn(DOX) demonstrated superior efficacy over free doxorubicin in primary CIPp cells at high concentrations (50 μM).

Conclusions

  • This study reveals the variable expression of TFR-1 in CMT tissues and cell lines, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target.
  • HFn(DOX) shows promise as an innovative therapeutic strategy for TFR-1-expressing cancers in both veterinary and human medicine.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the full therapeutic potential of HFn-based drug delivery systems in canine cancers.

Keywords: