Expression of PCNA, MMP-9 and P53 in bovine ocular squamous cell carcinomas: An immunohistochemical study

In this study, we aimed to compare and correlate the PCNA, MMP-9 and p53 expressions and differentiation degree of bovine ocular squamous cell carcinomas (BOSCCs) by immunohistochemical methods. The material of this study was composed of BOSCC biopsy samples taken from 30 cattle brought to our department. Tissue samples were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed routinely, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 5 μm, and stained with hematoxylin & eosin in order to detect histopathological changes. Sections were examined and photographed under a light microscope. Avidin-biotin-peroxidase method was used for immunohistochemistry. Macroscopically the masses were nodular to cauliflower-like shaped. The surfaces of the masses were highly hemorrhagic and ulcerative, and sometimes covered with a purulent discharge. Histopathologically, we defined cases with excessive and large numbers of keratin pearls, large tumoral islands, and evident squamous differentiation as well-differentiated. Cases with smaller tumoral islets, decreased number and size of keratin pearls, but higher number of poorly-differentiated cells compared to well-differentiated cases were defined as moderately-differentiated. Tumors in which keratinization was either absent or formed in individual cells were classified as poorly-differentiated. Statistical analysis revealed that there was no significant difference between well, moderately, and poorly differentiated tumors in terms of PCNA and MMP-9 expressions, but we found that the increase in p53 expression negatively correlated with the degree of differentiation of the tumor. In conclusion, we think that p53 can be a useful marker in determining the prognosis of BOSCCs