Altered mRNA and protein expression of filaggrin in the skin of a canine animal model for atopic dermatitis. Issue 3 (14th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santoro, Domenico; Marsella, Rosanna; Ahrens, Kim; Graves, Thomas K.; Bunick, David
• Is Part Of: Veterinary dermatology. Volume 24:Issue 3(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 329
• Page End: e73
• Publication Date: 2013-05-14
• Subjects: Veterinary dermatology -- Periodicals; Pet medicine -- Periodicals; 636.08965
• DOI: 10.1111/vde.12031
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0959-4493

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en" id="vde12031-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="vde12031-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Filaggrin is a structural protein that has attracted increasing interest over the past decade for its role in the pathogenesis of human atopic dermatitis (AD). Null mutations in its sequence are considered risk factors in the development of AD.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12031-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Hypothesis/Objectives</title> <p>To investigate canine filaggrin mRNA and protein expression in the skin of atopic beagles with experimentally induced AD compared with breed‐matched healthy control dogs.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12031-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>All dogs were environmentally challenged for 3 days consecutively with allergens to which the atopic dogs had been sensitized. Skin biopsy specimens were taken from six healthy and seven atopic beagles before and after allergen challenge. Canine filaggrin mRNA was measured using quantitative real‐time PCR. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to localize the filaggrin protein in canine skin. Analysis of variance with Tukey's multiple comparison test (over‐time effect) and unpaired Student's <italic>t</italic>‐test (treatment effect) were used. Values of <italic>P</italic> ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12031-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Analysis of variance showed a significantly higher expression of filaggrin mRNA in atopic dogs compared with healthy control dogs (<italic>P</italic> = 0.004 on day 3 and <italic>P</italic> = 0.01 on day 10) and a decreased mRNA expression on day 3 in healthy control dogs (effect of time, <italic>P</italic> = 0.006). On blinded evaluation, filaggrin immunofluorescence was distributed homogeneously in the stratum granulosum and the stratum corneum in healthy dogs. Atopic dogs showed a patchy immunofluorescence pattern, which was exacerbated after environmental challenge.</p> </sec> <sec id="vde12031-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions and clinical importance</title> <p>Altered epidermal filaggrin mRNA expression and protein distribution was detected in this experimental model.</p> </sec> </abstract>