EXPRESSION OF BETA-1 INTEGRIN IN NORMAL, DYSPLASTIC AND NEOPLASTIC CANINE MAMMARY-GLAND

The expression of beta 1 integrin was evaluated immunohistochemically in a series of normal, dysplastic and neoplastic canine mammary glands , and in lymph node metastases. The tissues were formalin-fixed and pa raffin wax-embedded. In malignant neoplasms, beta 1 integrin was decre ased and redistributed along the entire cell membrane. In lymph nodes, strong immunohistochemical staining was seen intercellularly in clust ers of metastatic cells within subcapsular sinuses and at the peripher y of intranodal metastases. These results suggest that the expression of integrin molecules may be related to malignancy and to the metastat ic potential of neoplastic cells. (C) 1995 Academic Press Limited