Expression of cell adhesion molecules in canine choroid plexus tumors

Choroid plexus tumor (CPT) is a primary intracranial neoplasm of the choroid plexus epithelium in the central nervous system. In the current World Health Organization classification, CPT is classified into two categories; choroid plexus papilloma (CPP) and carcinoma (CPC). In the present study, we investigated immunohistochemical expressions of N-cadherin, E-cadherin and beta-catenin in 5 canine CPT cases (I disseminated CPC, 2 CPCs and 2 CPPs). One CPP case was positive for N-cadherin and beta-catenin, but negative for E-cadherin. The disseminated CPC case was positive for E-cadherin and beta-catenin, but negative for N-cadherin. The other cases were positive for the three molecules examined. These results suggest that loss of the N-cadherin expression might associate with the spreading of CPC cells. KEY WORDS: beta-catenin, cadherin, canine, choroid plexus tumor, immunohistochemistry