Angiogenesis-related microRNAs and signalling pathways in canine mammary tumours.

miR-34a shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing benign from malignant canine mammary tumours.

This study investigates the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating angiogenesis within canine mammary tumours (CMTs), comparing benign and malignant cases against normal mammary tissue. Researchers profiled 24 angiogenesis-related miRNAs using RT-qPCR and quantified intratumoral vascularization through microvascular density (MVD) and endothelial area (EA) measurements. Malignant CMTs exhibited significantly higher MVD and EA, particularly in grade III carcinomas, accompanied by upregulation of pro-angiogenic miRNAs (miR-9, miR-20a, miR-98, miR-210, miR-21) and variable expression of anti-angiogenic miRNAs. Target prediction identified 16,910 genes with substantial regulatory overlap between pro- and anti-angiogenic miRNAs. Key signalling pathways implicated include MAPK, PI3K-Akt, HIF-1, and VEGF. Notably, miR-34a demonstrated superior diagnostic value for distinguishing benign from malignant tumours. These findings underscore miRNAs' importance in CMT angiogenesis and support development of miRNA-based biomarkers for tumour stratification and therapeutic targeting, while validating the canine model for comparative breast cancer research.

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