Expression of Stem Cell Factor in Feline Mast Cell Tumour. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sakurai, M.; Iwasa, R.; Sakai, Y.; Chambers, J.K.; Uchida, K.; Morimoto, M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of comparative pathology. Volume 163(2018)
• Page Start: 6
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: cat -- kit -- mast cell tumour -- stem cell factor; Veterinary pathology -- Periodicals; Veterinary therapeutics -- Periodicals; Pathology, Comparative -- Periodicals; Therapeutics -- Periodicals; Pathology, Veterinary -- Periodicals; 636.089607
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2018.06.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9975

Abstract

Summary: Stem cell factor (SCF) is a ligand of the molecule Kit, which is expressed in mast cells and is important for mast cell proliferation, migration and survival. Mast cell tumours (MCTs) are associated with mutations of c-kit, a proto-oncogene encoding the Kit protein. In this study, we examined SCF expression in 23 samples of feline MCTs. SCF expression was detected in 10 cutaneous MCTs and a case of splenic mastocytosis. In the cutaneous MCTs, SCF-positive tumour cells were located at the margins. Kit was expressed in eight of the 10 cutaneous cases of SCF-expressing MCTs. In these cases, Kit-positive cells were located near to SCF-positive cells, and SCF/Kit double-positive tumour cells were found. Ki67-positive tumour cells were not found near to SCF-positive cells. These results suggest that SCF autocrine/paracrine mechanisms are involved in the expansion of cutaneous MCTs, but not in tumour proliferation.