Feline primary pulmonary carcinomas (PPCs) occasionally exhibit a distinctive metastatic tropism for the distal digits, clinically recognized as feline lung-digit syndrome or MODAL syndrome. The molecular mechanisms driving this unique behavior remain poorly understood. This retrospective study evaluated 18 feline PPCs to investigate the expression of bone-related markers (RUNX2, osteocalcin), vimentin, Ki-67, MCK, and TTF-1. Cases were classified into PPCs with (n = 5) and without (n = 13) documented digital metastases. Adenosquamous carcinoma was the predominant histological subtype (61.1%); all tumors expressed MCK and TTF-1. While osteocalcin and aberrant vimentin expression were detected across both groups, they did not differ significantly between groups. Conversely, RUNX2 nuclear immunoreactivity was significantly elevated in cases with digital metastasis (p = 0.006). Furthermore, the evaluation of matched primary and metastatic lesions demonstrated that digital metastases retained the histological and immunophenotypic profiles of their primary tumors. Overall, this first characterization demonstrates that higher RUNX2 immunoreactivity was observed in primary pulmonary carcinomas from cats with documented digital metastasis. However, without the evaluation of extra-digital metastases, it remains undetermined whether this reflects a specific tropism for the digits or a general metastatic competence.

Glycosylation plays a critical role in maintaining cardiac structure and function, yet its modulation during aging and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in feline hearts remains uncharacterized. This study provides a systematic analysis of lectin-binding patterns in feline myocardium across different age groups and disease states. Post-mortem feline hearts (n = 64), classified by age (newborn to senior) and diagnostic status (healthy vs. HCM-affected), were evaluated using tissue microarrays stained with five plant-derived lectins—Concanavalin A (ConA), Wheat Germ Agglutinin (WGA), RCA (Ricinus communis Agglutinin I), Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Agglutinin), and Griffonia (Bandeiraea) simplicifolia Lectin I (BS)—alongside Draq5 nuclear counterstaining. Lectin histochemistry revealed distinct, region-specific glycosylation patterns, with notable remodelling in both aged and HCM-affected hearts. These glycan alterations reflect underlying molecular and structural changes associated with cardiac aging and pathology. Although lectin histochemistry has been used to examine cardiac glycosylation in species such as mice, rats, zebrafish, and humans, comparable data for felines have been lacking, even if domestic cat represents a spontaneous model for human HCM. This study provides the first essential step in characterizing the feline cardiac glycosylation. The observed shifts in lectin-binding profiles reveal specific remodelling associated with aging and HCM in cats. These results provide a foundation for future studies assessing the utility of glycan motifs as potential post-mortem markers of disease progression in felines.

Background: Kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum G. Don), commonly used in West African traditional pharmacopeia for its anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal properties, remains poorly studied regarding its potential role in the prevention or treatment of ulcerative colitis. Objective: This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of the ethanolic extract of Combretum micranthum (EECM) in a murine model of chronic DSS-induced colitis. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to three cycles of 1.5% DSS administration over nine weeks to induce chronic colitis. EECM was administered orally at 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg during the final week. Disease severity was evaluated using the Disease Activity Index (DAI), colon length, biochemical and hematological markers, along with histopathological and immunohistochemical assessment of colonic tissue. Results: EECM treatment significantly improved clinical parameters and prevented colon shortening in chronic DSS-induced colitis. These improvements were associated with the restoration of serum biochemical and hematological profiles, along with reduced histopathological damage and preservation of colonic tissue architecture. Immunohistochemical analysis further demonstrated decreased CD3-positive T-lymphocyte infiltration in colonic tissue, suggesting modulation of local immune cell responses. Conclusions: These findings highlight the therapeutic potential EECM in ulcerative colitis and support further investigations to elucidate its mechanisms of action and evaluate its efficacy in future translational studies.