RNAScopeHybridization as a Novel Technique for the Assessment of c-KIT mRNA Expression in Canine Mast Cell Tumor.

Abstract

RNA is considered as an indicator of the dynamic genetic expression changes in a cell. RNAScope is a commercially availablehybridization assay for the detection of RNA in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. In this work, we describe the use of RNAScope as a sensitive and specific method for the evaluation ofmessenger RNA (mRNA) in canine mast cell tumor. We investigated the expression ofmRNA with RNAscope in 60 canine mast cell tumors (MCTs), comparing it with the histological grade and KIT immunohistochemical expression patterns. Our results showed an overall good expression ofmRNA in neoplastic cells if compared with control probes. We also observed a statistically significant correlation between histological grade andmRNA expression. No correlations were found between KIT protein immunohistochemical distribution pattern andmRNA expression or histological grade. Our results provide a reference basis to better understandmRNA expression in canine MCTs and strongly encourage further studies that may provide useful information about its potential and significant role as a prognostic and predictive biological marker for canine MCTs clinical outcome.