Immunohistochemical evaluation of GATA-4 in canine testicular tumors

Vet Pathol. 2009 Sep;46(5):893-6. doi: 10.1354/vp.08-VP-0287-R-BC. Epub 2009 May 9.

Abstract

GATA-4 is a transcription factor expressed in Sertoli cells and less commonly in Leydig (interstitial) cells but not germ cells in adult human beings, cattle, pigs, and mice. We examined GATA-4 in 76 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded canine testicular tumors, including 21 Sertoli cell tumors (SCT), 28 Leydig (interstitial) cell tumors (LCT), 24 seminomas (GCT), and 3 mixed germ cell sex cord-stromal tumors (MGSCT). Our hypothesis was that immunohistochemistry for GATA-4 could discriminate between germ cell and sex cord-stromal tumors of the canine testis. SCTs (21/21) had strong diffuse nuclear and weak and inconsistent cytoplasmic staining. LCTs (27/28) also had strong diffuse nuclear staining and much weaker and granular cytoplasmic staining. GCTs were negative for this marker. Sex cord-stromal cells of MGSCT were also positive. These results indicate that GATA-4 is mainly expressed in sex cord-stromal tumors and not in germ cell tumors of the canine testis.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / metabolism
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs
  • GATA4 Transcription Factor / metabolism*
  • Immunohistochemistry / veterinary
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / metabolism
  • Leydig Cell Tumor / pathology*
  • Male
  • Sertoli Cell Tumor / metabolism
  • Sertoli Cell Tumor / pathology*
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / metabolism
  • Sex Cord-Gonadal Stromal Tumors / pathology*
  • Testicular Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Testicular Neoplasms / pathology
  • Testicular Neoplasms / veterinary*

Substances

  • GATA4 Transcription Factor