BackgroundHemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a malignant tumor derived from endothelial cells which usually shows poor prognosis due to its high invasiveness, metastatic rate and severe hemorrhage from tumor ruptures. Since the pathogenesis of HSA is not yet complete, further understanding of its molecular basis is required.ResultsHere, we identified Notch2 signal as a key factor in maintaining canine HSA cancer stem cell (CSC)-like cells. We first cultured HSA cell lines in adherent serum-free condition and confirmed their CSC-like characteristics. Notch signal was upregulated in the CSC-like cells and Notch signal inhibition by a γ-secretase inhibitor significantly repressed their growth. Notch2, a Notch receptor, was highly expressed in the CSC-like cells. Constitutive activation of Notch2 increased clonogenicity and number of cells which were able to survive in serum-free condition. In contrast, inhibition of Notch2 activity showed opposite effects. These results suggest that Notch2 is an important factor for maintaining HSA CSC-like cells. Neoplastic cells in clinical cases also express Notch2 higher than endothelial cells in the normal blood vessels in the same slides.ConclusionThis study provides foundation for further stem cell research in HSA and can provide a way to develop effective treatments to CSCs of endothelial tumors.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-018-1624-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Glanders is a contagious and fatal equine disease caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia mallei. B. mallei is prevalent among horse populations in Asia, the Middle East, and South America. More than four million horses have been registered in Mongolia in 2020. However, the resent prevalence of glanders has not been well investigated. In this study, we aimed to investigate the seropositivity of B. mallei in horse populations in Mongolia using the complement fixation test (CFT) and Rose Bengal plate agglutination test (RBT). We randomly collected blood samples from horses in central and eastern Mongolia between 2018 and 2019. Of 337 horses, 26 (7.7%) and 28 (8.3%) were seropositive using RBT and CFT, respectively. Interestingly, seropositivity in horses resulting from crossbreeding of Mongolian native horses with thoroughbred horses was higher than that in Mongolian native horses. Our observations suggest that equine glanders are still endemic to Mongolia.

Glanders is caused by the gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia mallei. In this study, we investigated the histopathology and immunohistochemical localization of B. mallei in natural cases of equine glanders. Four horses showing clinical signs of nasal discharge and multiple cutaneous nodules or papulae in the hindlimbs and abdomen were reported in Mongolia. They tested positive for B. mallei infection on complement fixation, Rose Bengal agglutination, and mallein tests. Gross and histological lesions observed in these cases were similar to those previously reported in equine glanders. Immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to B. mallei BpaB showed localization of the bacterial antigen in the cytoplasm of neutrophils, macrophages, epithelioid cells, and multinucleated giant cells in the pyogranulomas and abscesses in target organs. Some alveolar type II cells and bronchiolar epithelial cells also contained the antigen. These results suggest that the anti-BpaB antibody is useful for identifying B. mallei–infected cell types in naturally infected horses.