Metallothionein expression in feline injection site fibrosarcomas
Feline injection site fibrosarcoma is an aggressive and infiltrative tumor arising in the background of chronic inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of metallothionein (I-II) in feline injection site fibrosarcomas and to assess its possible relationships with Ki67 index, inflammation score and tumor grade.
The study included 40 feline fibrosarcomas, located in the common injection sites (i.e., interscapular area, thigh, flank), constituting archival diagnostic specimens collected between 2019 to 2020. Tumors were graded histologically according to the newly proposed soft-tissue sarcoma grading system in cats.
Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of Ki67 and metallothionein in tumor cells.
The cytoplasmic and sometimes nuclear expression of metallothionein was observed in all tumors grade I, 66.67% of tumors grade II and 55% of tumors grade III. The expression of metallothionein was negatively correlated with tumor grade and inflammation score, while the Ki67 index was positively correlated with tumor grade, inflammation score and necrosis score.
The downregulation of MT expression in feline injection site fibrosarcomas seems to relate to an increase in inflammatory infiltration, leading to tumor progression. In conclusion, the authors said this is the first study describing metallothionein expression in feline injection site fibrosarcomas.
Mateusz Mikiewicz, et al. “Metallothionein expression in feline injection site fibrosarcomas.” BMC Vet Res. 10 February 2023;19(1):42. doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03604-5.
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