Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
Orthotopic Injection of Breast Cancer Cells into the Mammary Fat Pad of Mice to Study Tumor Growth.
Published on: February 8, 2015
Immunohistochemical profiling of VISTA expression in canine mammary tumors: A pilot study for immunotherapeutic
Muhammed Ali Yamac1, Leyla Elif Ozgü Ayozger2, Volkan Ipek2
1Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Health Sciences Institute, Burdur, Türkiye.
Abstract:
VISTA (V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T cell activation) is an immune checkpoint protein that regulates the activity of T cells and is involved in immune tolerance. Although its role has been elucidated in human oncology, its significance in canine mammary tumors (CMTs) is unclear. This research was focused on investigating VISTA expression in CMTs and its correlation with histologic grade and molecular subtype. Archived formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded mammary gland tumors taken from 26 canine patients diagnosed with malignant tumors were studied. Histopathologic classification and grading were performed using hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections. Immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), HER2, and VISTA was done, and molecular subtypes were defined as based on ER, PR, and HER2 status. VISTA immunoreactivity was semiquantitatively evaluated in tumor cells and in inflammatory cells. VISTA expression in neoplastic cells and in cells of the inflammatory infiltrate was found. Increased tumor grade was found to have significantly increased VISTA staining intensity and overall score in tumor cells. Inflammatory cell staining differed according to grade, yet this difference was not significant. No significant difference in VISTA expression was detected in molecular subtypes. This is the initial research to shed light on VISTA expression in CMTs. Its identification within tumor cells and within cells of the infiltrate, and its correlation with tumor grade, places its importance as an immunotherapeutic and prognostic marker in mammary cancer in dogs.
Insights
VISTA expression in canine mammary tumors (CMTs) correlates with increased tumor grade. This immune checkpoint protein may serve as a prognostic and immunotherapeutic marker for canine breast cancer.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Veterinary Oncology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- VISTA (V-domain Ig-containing suppressor of T cell activation) is an immune checkpoint protein regulating T cell activity and immune tolerance.
- Its role in human oncology is established, but its significance in canine mammary tumors (CMTs) remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate VISTA expression in canine mammary tumors.
- To correlate VISTA expression with histologic grade and molecular subtype in CMTs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 26 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded CMTs.
- Histopathologic classification and grading using H&E staining.
- Immunohistochemical staining for VISTA, ER, PR, and HER2.
- Molecular subtyping based on ER, PR, and HER2 status.
- Semiquantitative evaluation of VISTA immunoreactivity in tumor and inflammatory cells.
Main Results:
- VISTA expression was detected in both neoplastic and inflammatory cells within CMTs.
- Increased tumor grade significantly correlated with higher VISTA staining intensity and overall score in tumor cells.
- No significant difference in VISTA expression was observed across different molecular subtypes.
- While inflammatory cell VISTA staining varied with grade, the difference was not statistically significant.
Conclusions:
- This study provides initial insights into VISTA expression in CMTs.
- VISTA's presence in tumor and inflammatory cells and its correlation with tumor grade suggest its potential as an immunotherapeutic and prognostic marker in canine mammary cancer.
