Student Chungnam National University Yuseong-gu, Taejon-jikhalsi, Republic of Korea
Abstract:
Background: Hemangiosarcoma is a highly aggressive vascular tumor in dogs, similar to human angiosarcoma. Beta-adrenergic receptors (β-ARs) are known to be significantly expressed in angiosarcoma, and β-AR blockers are under investigation for therapeutic applications. Hypothesis/
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the expression of β1-AR and β2-AR in canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. Animals: Splenic tissue samples were obtained from ten client-owned dogs, consisting of four with splenic hemangiosarcoma and six with non-neoplastic disorders, including nodular hyperplasia, lymphocytic proliferation, and extramedullary hematopoiesis.
Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded splenic tissues were analyzed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) with primary antibodies for β1-AR and β2-AR. Immunostaining was evaluated at 400× magnification by averaging 10 fields per sample. The IHC score was calculated by multiplying the staining intensity with the percentage of positively stained cells. Group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test.
Results: The IHC scores for β1-AR and β2-AR were significantly higher in splenic hemangiosarcoma tissues compared to non-neoplastic splenic tissues. Statistical analysis confirmed a significant upregulation of β1-AR (P = .0095) and β2-AR expression (P = .0048). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The significant overexpression of β1-AR and β2-AR suggests a potential role for β-AR in canine splenic hemangiosarcoma. These findings provide novel insights into β-AR-associated mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of this malignancy, emphasizing their potential as therapeutic targets for future investigation.
