Mucin 1 Aberrantly Expresses in Goat Mammary Carcinoma

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine if expression of mucin 1 (MUC1) and abundance of collagen fibers is associated with the incidence of goat mammary cancer. MUC1 often expressed in metastatic cancers and has been used as a diagnostic marker for metastatic progression. Similarly, collagen density affects tumor microenvironment and promotes invasion, angiogenesis and migration of cells. Mammary parenchymal tissues were collected from 17 goats from an abattoir and grouped into lactating (n=3), mastitic (n=6) and mammary cancer (n=8). Protein localization of MUC1 and cell proliferation markers were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Quantification of transcripts of cancer cell markers and cell proliferation markers were evaluated using real time qPCR. Distribution of total collagen was assessed by picrosirius red staining. Goat mammary cancers were evident by the loss of cellular architecture (from mild to severe distortion of cytoarchitecture) of the mammary glands. This study provides evidence of aberrant expression of MUC1 and increased collagen density in goat mammary cancer. In the literature, MUC1-positive cancer cells are aggressive and results in poor prognosis. Presence of high incidence of mammary cancer in goat is alarming, knowing that the occurrence mammary cancer in ruminant is rare.