A study on periostin involvement in the pathophysiology of canine atopic skin

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, pruritic, and allergic skin disease in humans and animals, particularly dogs. Canine AD (cAD) has received attention as a spontaneous atopic animal model because domesticated dogs inhabit a human environment, and cAD shares several clinicopathological features with human AD (hAD). In hAD, periostin (PO) is suggested to play a critical role in the enhancement and chronicity of allergic skin inflammation; however, PO involvement in the pathogenesis of cAD is unknown. Here we aimed to clarify PO involvement in the pathophysiology of cAD and focused on the inducing factor and function of PO in canine atopic skin. Using double-labeled in situ hybridization (ISH), interleukin (IL)-13 mRNA-positive cells were detected near the keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts expressing PO mRNA in atopic skin. Using an in vitro assay, IL-13 induced PO gene expression in both canine dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes. PO enhanced in vitro growth of canine keratinocytes. Moreover, among PO-induced genes in cultured canine keratinocytes detected using a microarray, we identified IL-25 as a possible mediator in canine atopic skin. In addition, real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis revealed upregulation of IL-25 gene expression in PO-stimulated keratinocytes. These data suggest that IL-13 possibly derived from T helper 2 (Th2) cells stimulates PO production in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and then PO may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of cAD, particularly in the enhancement and chronicity of skin lesions via IL-25.

Increased expression of the stromal fibroblast-secreted periostin in canine squamous cell carcinomas

“…A primary culture of canine dermal fibroblasts was performed as previously described [ 19 ]. Briefly, full-depth skin samples obtained from the chest region of normal dogs were immediately placed in PBS with 1% Antibiotic Antimycotic (Invitrogen Life Technologies).…”

“…We have previously shown that periostin expression was more intense in the skin tissues of AD dogs and correlated with the severity score of chronic histopathological changes (epidermal thickening and fibrosis) and CD3+ cell number in the dermis, similar to that reported in human AD patients [ 20 ]. We also reported that IL-13 possibly derived from T cells stimulates periostin production in both keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and then periostin may play a critical role in the pathophysiology of canine AD, particularly in the enhancement and chronicity of skin lesions [ 19 ]. However, in canine cancer, periostin expression has not been demonstrated, and its role in cancer is not known.…”

Atopic dermatitis in cats and dogs: a difficult disease for animals and owners

“…In acute lesions, allergic inflammation triggers the release of cytokines such as interleukin (IL-) 4 and IL-13, which induce a T helper 2 (Th2) response [ 1 , 18 , 19 ]. In more chronic skin lesions, CD4+ and CD8+ skin-associated T lymphocytes additionally stimulate the production of various cytokines such as IL-13, IL-22 and IFN-γ [ 20 ].…”

“…Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disease in dogs and cats. Its clinical, immunological, histological and pathological features in dogs are so similar to the human counterpart, that canine atopic dermatitis has been suggested as an animal model for human AD [ 1 , 2 ]. In Table 1 some of the similarities and differences are summarized.…”

Acute and subacute oral administration of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol exacerbates the pro-inflammatory and pro-pruritic responses in a mouse model of allergic dermatitis

“…Atopic dermatitis is also a common skin disease in dogs and cats. Its clinical, immunological, histological, and pathological features are highly similar between dogs and humans due to which canine atopic dermatitis has been suggested as an animal model for human atopic dermatitis (Mineshige et al 2018). Environmental and lifestyle factors and increasing use of chemicals have often been suggested as contributors to the current situation (Watanabe et al 2018).…”