Reduced Klotho expression and its prognostic significance in canine hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract

Klotho is an anti‐ageing gene and is known to act as a tumour suppressor in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). According to a previous study, Klotho is present in normal canine mammary glands, and down‐expression in tumours is positively associated with negative prognosis. However, the presence and significance of Klotho in canine HCC has not yet been reported. This study aimed to confirm Klotho expression in normal canine liver tissues using western blotting and immunohistochemistry, and whether the expression differed in non‐neoplastic liver disease and HCC. Furthermore, correlation between clinicopathologic features and expression of Klotho was evaluated. All of the normal liver tissues showed the presence of Klotho, and Klotho expression was significantly decreased in the HCC tissue as compared to the non‐neoplastic hepatic tissue. Additionally, Klotho expression was significantly associated with tumour size (P = .045), liver enzyme (alanine aminotransferase (ALT)) (P = .018), and metastasis (P = .024). Analysis of the survival curve revealed that reduced Klotho expression was significantly associated with poor disease‐free survival (P = .041) in HCC. These results show that Klotho expression is present in normal canine liver tissue and that reduced Klotho expression is associated with poor prognosis in canine HCC. Thus, Klotho was presumed to be a potential clinical prognostic marker for canine HCC.

piRNAs and miRNAs Can Bind to mRNA of <i>KLOTHO</i> and <i>FGF23</i> Genes

“…Mutations in KLOTHO protein are associated with aging and loss of bone mass and phosphorus metabolism [10,11]. Several works are devoted to elucidating the role of KLOTHO in oncological diseases [12][13][14][15]. The KLOTHO protein was initially introduced as an anti-aging molecule [1].…”