ABSTRACT
Arrector pili muscle (APM) hamartoma is reported in humans and dogs. We describe a linear APM hamartoma in a sphynx cat. The lesion was characterized by multiple nodules distributed linearly along the tail, made of randomly arranged hypertrophic smooth muscles, the size of which tended to wax-and-wane during a one year follow-up.
L'hamartome du muscle arrecteur du poil (APM) est décrit chez l'homme et chez le chien. Nous décrivons un hamartome APM linéaire chez un chat sphynx. La lésion était caractérisée par de multiples nodules répartis en ligne sur la queue, composés de fibres musculaires lisses hypertrophiques désordonnées, dont la taille a évolué par poussée au cours d'une période de suivi d'un an.
El hamartoma del músculo erector piloso(APM) ha sido descrito en humanos y en perros. Describimos un hamartoma APM lineal en un gato esfinge. La lesión se caracterizó por múltiples nódulos distribuidos linealmente a lo largo de la cola, compuestos de músculos lisos hipertróficos dispuestos al azar, cuyo tamaño tendía a fluctuar durante un año de seguimiento.
O hamartoma do músculo eretor do pelo (MEP) é relatado em humanos e cães. Nós descrevemos um hamartoma linear em um gato sphynx. A lesão foi caracterizada por múltiplos nódulos distribuídos linearmente ao longo da cauda, constituídos por músculos lisos hipertróficos dispostos aleatoriamente, cujo tamanho tendia a aumentar e diminuir ao longo do acompanhamento de um ano.
Subject(s)
Cat Diseases , Dog Diseases , Hamartoma , Animals , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Cats , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Dogs , Hair , Hair Follicle , Hamartoma/diagnosis , Hamartoma/veterinary , Muscle, SmoothABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Filaggrin (FLG) and its metabolites are essential for skin barrier function and hydration of the stratum corneum. Alteration of the FLG metabolism could be the basis for an abnormal skin barrier in allergic dogs. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the expression and distribution of calpain-1, caspase-14, furin and matriptase, four enzymes involved in FLG metabolism, in the skin of atopic and healthy beagles. METHODS: Skin biopsies were collected from four healthy and four atopic beagles before and after allergen exposure. The dogs were challenged for three consecutive days to mimic an acute exposure, or once weekly to mimic a chronic exposure to allergens. Skin biopsies were taken on days 0 (nonlesional), 3 and 10 in the "acute" model and on days 0 (nonlesional), 14 and 28 in the "chronic" model. Four healthy dogs were used as controls. Indirect immunofluorescence was used to analyse the distribution and the expression of FLG enzymes in a semi-quantitative manner. Five consecutive pictures/section were taken and the intensity analysed tracing the epidermis and using ImageJ on the traced areas. The enzymes' expression was compared between healthy and atopic nonlesional skin (Day 0) and over time in each group. RESULTS: All enzymes were expressed in all layers of the epidermis. A significantly higher expression of calpain-1 (P = 0.028), caspase 14 (P = 0.028) and matriptase (P = 0.028) was evident in atopic compared to control dogs on Day 0. No differences over time were seen for any enzyme analysed. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This preliminary study suggests an abnormal catabolism of FLG in canine atopic skin.
Subject(s)
Dermatitis, Atopic/veterinary , Dog Diseases/enzymology , Intermediate Filament Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Calpain/metabolism , Case-Control Studies , Caspase 14/metabolism , Dermatitis, Atopic/enzymology , Dermatitis, Atopic/metabolism , Disease Models, Animal , Dog Diseases/metabolism , Dogs , Female , Filaggrin Proteins , Furin/metabolism , Male , Pilot Projects , Serine Endopeptidases/metabolism , Skin/enzymology , Skin/metabolismABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic dermatological disease partly due to dysregulation of the immune system. Inappropriate activation of CD4(+) lymphocytes could favour and promote the allergic response. An inadequate activation system of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is suspected to be a key immunological feature of the allergic response in atopic dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the difference in the CD4/CD8 lymphocyte ratio and the percentage of Tregs in healthy dogs, in a breed predisposed to CAD, and in dogs affected by CAD before and during therapy with ciclosporin (CsA). Additionally to assess the improvement in pruritus and skin lesions during therapy with CsA, and to compare this with CD4/CD8/Treg values. ANIMALS: Ten atopic dogs of different breed, sex and age, ten healthy dogs and ten English bulldogs were included. METHODS: Peripheral blood from all dogs was tested using flow cytometry to assess the CD4/CD8 ratio and percentage of Tregs. For atopic dogs, sampling was repeated after 30 and 90 days of therapy with CsA. RESULTS: The CD4/CD8 ratio was not significantly different between the three groups. The Treg percentage was higher, but not statistically significant, in atopic dogs compared with controls. Therapy with CsA led to clinical improvement; it was not associated with statistically significant differences in haematological variables. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This study suggests that Tregs may be involved in the pathogenesis of CAD and that ciclosporin therapy does not affect the circulating lymphocyte subpopulations.
