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Vargo C, Gogal R, Barber J, Austel M, Banovic F. Characterisation of the serum cytokine profile in feline atopic skin syndrome. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:485-e133. [PMID: 34180094 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) is a pruritic and inflammatory skin disease commonly encountered in cats. Three previous reports evaluated cytokine immune activation in cats diagnosed with feline allergic dermatitis. However, no significant upregulations were observed in allergic cats compared to healthy controls. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE To evaluate differences in the serum cytokine profile of cats diagnosed with FASS compared to healthy cats, and correlate serum markers with the extent of FASS skin disease using clinical scoring systems. ANIMALS Thirteen client-owned FASS cats and 12 healthy control cats. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirteen cytokine and chemokines from the serum of FASS cats and healthy controls were analysed using a commercially available feline-specific multiplex assay. RESULTS Patients with FASS had a significant increase in serum concentrations of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-2, IL-13 and IL-18. In addition, cytokine/chemokines involved in inflammation and chemotaxis [IL-8, C-C Motif Chemokine Ligand (CCL)5, CCL2 and CXCL12], as well as growth factors, stem cell factor and Fms-related tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (Flt3L), also were significantly elevated. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.64) between the serum levels of Flt3L and Scoring Feline Allergic Dermatitis (SCORFAD) score was observed. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrate the activation of a broad array of immune secretory cytokines in the serum of cats with FASS, which are largely associated with a mixed Th1 and Th2 inflammatory response along with specific growth factors. Further larger-sample studies are needed to assess the modulation of serum biomarkers in FASS by pharmacological/therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheryl Vargo
- Departments of, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Robert Gogal
- Department of, Biosciences and Diagnostic Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - James Barber
- Department of, Infectious Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Michaela Austel
- Departments of, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
| | - Frane Banovic
- Departments of, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA
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Halliwell R, Banovic F, Mueller RS, Olivry T. Immunopathogenesis of the feline atopic syndrome. Vet Dermatol 2021; 32:13-e4. [PMID: 33470018 DOI: 10.1111/vde.12928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Feline diseases of possible allergic origin with similar clinical phenotypes can have a varied underlying pathogenesis. Clinical phenotype, precise aetiology and underlying immunopathogenesis all need to be considered if advances in this neglected area of dermatology are to be made. OBJECTIVES To document the status of research into the immunopathogenesis of the diseases that fall within the spectrum of the feline atopic syndrome (FAS ), to summarize the conclusions, identify the limitations and recommend future research directions. METHODS AND MATERIALS A search of the literature was undertaken. The strengths and validity of the data and the contributions to our current understanding of the immunopathogenesis were analysed. Skin diseases of presumed allergic aetiology and asthma were assessed separately, as was the role of antibodies, cells and cytokines in each. RESULTS The research varied in its quality and its impact often was limited by a failure to employ strict criteria in case selection. This reflected the difficulties of skin reaction patterns associated with a number of inciting causes. Research into feline asthma was handicapped by the difficulties of investigating clinical material, and much of the useful information was derived from experimental models. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE The evidence reviewed was supportive of a role for immunoglobulin (Ig)E in the pathogenesis of both feline atopic skin syndrome (FASS) and asthma, albeit not strongly so. The inflammation noted in both FASS and asthma is accompanied by eosinophils and lymphocytes, and these findings, together with the cytokine expression, are suggestive in some (not all) cats of T-helper type 2 immune dysregulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Halliwell
- Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Frane Banovic
- Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, GA, 30605, USA
| | - Ralf S Mueller
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, LMU Munich, Veterinaerstr 13, Munich, Germany
| | - Thierry Olivry
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
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Ngo J, Morren MA, Bodemer C, Heimann M, Fontaine J. Feline maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis: a retrospective study of 13 cases and proposal for a new classification. J Feline Med Surg 2019; 21:394-404. [PMID: 29860905 PMCID: PMC10814638 DOI: 10.1177/1098612x18776141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
CASE SERIES SUMMARY Cutaneous mastocytosis is a disorder rarely reported in veterinary dermatology and usually described as 'urticaria pigmentosa'. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnosis, treatment and outcome of 13 affected cats, selected from the files of a private referral dermatology practice within a period of 14 years. Breeds of the affected individuals included Sphynx (n = 9), Devon Rex (n = 2) and Sphynx/Devon Rex crossbreeds (n = 2). Females (n = 9) were over-represented and the median duration of clinical signs prior to diagnosis was 8 months. The clinical presentation of these 13 cats was compared with cases reported in the veterinary literature and classified according to the current human consensus on cutaneous mastocytosis. Three clinical forms could be distinguished in cats: (1) large papular lesions and wheals, typically localised to the head, shoulders, ventral neck and axillae, and which may spontaneously resolve (termed polymorphic maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis); (2) erythematous dermatitis, characterised by small maculopapular lesions often associated with crusts and with a poorer prognosis (termed monomorphic maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis); and (3) more chronic dermatitis characterised by lichenification and hyperpigmentation, similar to the human condition 'urticaria pigmentosa' (termed pigmented maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis). Histopathology was performed in eight cases and revealed a superficial-to-deep dermatitis characterised by infiltrates of mast cells and eosinophils. The response to various treatments, including antihistamines, steroids and ciclosporin, was variable. RELEVANCE AND NOVEL INFORMATION This article reports 13 new cases of feline cutaneous mastocytosis, confirming the clinical presentation and apparent breed predisposition. The feline maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis seems to be clinically very close to the human form. This study proposes a new classification system for the feline disease based on the current human consensus, clinical presentation and prognosis, with three different subforms: polymorphic maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis with eventual spontaneous regression; monomorphic maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis with chronic evolution; and pigmented maculopapular cutaneous mastocytosis.
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Pali‐Schöll I, De Lucia M, Jackson H, Janda J, Mueller RS, Jensen‐Jarolim E. Comparing immediate-type food allergy in humans and companion animals-revealing unmet needs. Allergy 2017; 72:1643-1656. [PMID: 28394404 DOI: 10.1111/all.13179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Adverse food reactions occur in human as well as veterinary patients. Systematic comparison may lead to improved recommendations for prevention and treatment in both. In this position paper, we summarize the current knowledge on immediate-type food allergy vs other food adverse reactions in companion animals, and compare this to the human situation. While the prevalence of food allergy in humans has been well studied for some allergens, this remains to be investigated for animal patients, where owner-reported as well as veterinarian-diagnosed food adverse reactions are on the increase. The characteristics of the disease in humans vs dogs, cats, and horses are most often caused by similar, but sometimes species-dependent different pathophysiological mechanisms, prompting the specific clinical symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments. Furthermore, little is known about the allergen molecules causative for type I food allergy in animals, which, like in human patients, could represent predictive biomarkers for risk evaluation. The definite diagnosis of food allergy relies-as in humans-on elimination diet and provocation tests. Besides allergen avoidance in daily practice, novel treatment options and tolerization strategies are underway. Taken together, numerous knowledge gaps were identified in veterinary food allergy, which need to be filled by systematic comparative studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Pali‐Schöll
- Comparative Medicine The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | - M. De Lucia
- Clinica Veterinaria Privata San Marco Padova Italy
| | - H. Jackson
- Dermatology Referral Services LTD Glasgow Scotland UK
| | - J. Janda
- Faculty of Science Charles University Prague Czech Republic
| | - R. S. Mueller
- Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine Ludwig Maximilian University Munich Munich Germany
| | - E. Jensen‐Jarolim
- Comparative Medicine The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna Medical University of Vienna and University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research Center of Pathophysiology Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- Allergy Care Allergy Diagnosis and Study Center Vienna Austria
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Lavergne SN. In Vitro Research Tools in the Field of Human Immediate Drug Hypersensitivity and Their Present Use in Small Animal Veterinary Medicine. Vet Sci 2016; 4:E1. [PMID: 29056660 PMCID: PMC5606612 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci4010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 11/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug hypersensitivity reactions (DHR) are immune-mediated idiosyncratic adverse drug events. Type I DHR are often referred to as "immediate" and involve B lymphocyte-secreted IgE that bind to the membrane of basophils and mast cells, inducing their degranulation. This review presents various in vitro tests that were developed in the field of human type I HS and implemented as clinical diagnostic tools in human cases of immediate DHR. The respective strengths and weaknesses of each test will be discussed in parallel of validation data such as specificity and sensitivity whenever available. Some of them have also been used as diagnostic tools in veterinary medicine, but not in cases of immediate DHR. Most of these diagnostic tools can be categorized into humoral and cellular tests. The former tests measure serum concentrations of factors, such as histamine, tryptase, and drug-specific IgE. The latter assays quantify markers of drug-induced basophil activation or drug-specific lymphocyte proliferation. Pharmacogenetic markers have also been investigated in immediate DHR, but not as extensively as in non-immediate ones. Throughout, practical aspects and limitations of the tests, as well as sensitivity and specificity parameters, will be presented. In addition, the experience of veterinary medicine with these diagnostic tools will be summarized. However, to date, none of them has ever been reported in a veterinary case of type I DHR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidonie N. Lavergne
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign, 2001 South Lincoln Av, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
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The Significance of the Numbers of Mast Cells in the Evaluation of Skin-Biopsy Specimens from Cats with Inflammatory Dermatoses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.2736/jjvd.21.63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Bae MJ, Shin HS, See HJ, Chai OH, Shon DH. Cheonggukjang ethanol extracts inhibit a murine allergic asthma via suppression of mast cell-dependent anaphylactic reactions. J Med Food 2014; 17:142-9. [PMID: 24456365 PMCID: PMC3901352 DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2013.2997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Cheonggukjang (CGJ), a traditional Korean fermented soybean food, exerts immunomodulatory effects. Asthma is the most common chronic allergic disease to be associated with immune response to environmental allergens. In the pathogenesis of asthma, histamine is one of the important inflammatory mediators released from granules of mast cells. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effect of CGJ on a mouse model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma via the suppression of histamine release. C57BL/6 mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injection of OVA or a phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control and then challenged with OVA inhalation. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with either 70% ethanol-extracted CGJ (CGJE) (100 mg/kg/day) or equivalent PBS. Asthma-related inflammation was assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cell counts and histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of lung tissues. To elucidate the mechanisms of asthma inhibition by CGJE treatment, we also examined degranulation and histamine release of compound 48/80-induced rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). Treatment with CGJE downregulated the number of eosinophils and monocytes in the lungs of mice challenged with OVA and suppressed histopathological changes, such as eosinophil infiltration, mucus accumulation, goblet cell hyperplasia, and collagen fiber deposits. Moreover, CGJE alleviated compound 48/80-induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release from RPMCs through inhibition of calcium (Ca²⁺) uptake as well as ear swelling by infiltration of inflammatory cells. These findings demonstrated that CGJE can be used as an antiasthmatic dietary supplements candidate for histamine-mediated asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Jung Bae
- Division of Metabolism and Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Basic Science, School of Biological Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Soon Shin
- Division of Metabolism and Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Jeong See
- Division of Metabolism and Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Ok Hee Chai
- Department of Anatomy, Medical School and Institute for Medical Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong-Hwa Shon
- Division of Metabolism and Functionality Research, Korea Food Research Institute, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
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Bellamy F, Bader T, Moussy A, Hermine O. Pharmacokinetics of masitinib in cats. Vet Res Commun 2011; 33:831-7. [PMID: 19533403 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-009-9231-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/01/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Masitinib is the first veterinary drug recently approved in Europe to treat mast cell tumours in dogs (Hahn et al. JVIM, Masivet). This inhibitor is selective and highly efficient in blocking c-Kit, PDGFR, and Lyn tyrosine kinase activities. It showed good efficacy and acceptable toxicity in several animal studies such as mice, rats, rabbits and dogs (Dubreuil P, et al. submitted, and Hahn et al. (J Vet Intern Med 22(6):8, 2008)). C-kit is a tyrosine kinase receptor that plays a critical role in the biology of mast cells including differentiation, survival, migration and cytokine/mediator release. Mast cells are involved in a number of allergy-and immune-related diseases in cats such as asthma (Reinero Carol et al. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 121(3-4):9, 2008), inflammatory bowel disease, (Janeczko et al. Vet Mic 128(1-2):15, 2008), and feline mast cell tumours (Rassnick et al. J Am Vet Med Assoc 232(8):1200-1205, 2008). Therefore, there might be a strong rationale to use masitinib in these indications. Here, we report the results of a preliminary pharmacokinetic study of masitinib in cats which showed a good bioavailability of ~60% in both sexes. We propose that an oral dose of 10-15 mg/kg masitinib is appropriate to achieve adequate plasma concentrations.
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Superficial and Deep Dermal Eosinophilic Inflammation: A Retrospective Study of Skin-Biopsy Specimens from Cats with Atopic Dermatitis, Food Hypersensitivity, or Flea-Bite Hypersensitivity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.2736/jjvd.17.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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10
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Chai OH, Han EH, Choi YH, Kim SH, Kim HT, Galli SJ, Song CH. The role of mast cells in atrial natriuretic peptide-induced cutaneous inflammation. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 167:79-85. [PMID: 21130119 DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2010.11.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2010] [Revised: 10/05/2010] [Accepted: 11/25/2010] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is widely distributed throughout the heart, skin, gastrointestinal and genital tracts, and nervous and immune systems. ANP acts to mediate vasodilation and induces mast cell activation in both human and rats in vitro. However, the mechanisms of ANP-induced mast cell activation, the extent to which ANP can induce tissue swelling, mast cell degranulation, and granulocyte infiltration in mouse skin are not fully understood. This issue was investigated by treatment with ANP in rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs) and mouse peritoneal mast cells (MPMCs) in vitro and by injection of ANP into the skin of congenic normal WBB6F1/J-Kit+/Kit+ +/+, genetically mast cell-deficient WBB6F1/J-Kit(W)/Kit(W-v) (W/W(v)) and mast cell-engrafted W/W(v) (BMCMC→W/W(v)) mice in vivo. ANP induced the release of histamine and TNF-α from RPMCs and enhanced serotonin release from MPMCs, in a dose-dependent fashion, as well as reduced cAMP level of RPMCs in vitro. In +/+ mice, ANP induced significant tissue swelling, mast cell degranulation, and granulocyte infiltration in a dose-dependent manner, whereas not in genetically mast cell-deficient W/W(v) mice. However, ANP-induced cutaneous inflammation has been restored in BMCMC→W/W(v) mice. These data indicate that mast cells play a key role in the ANP-induced cutaneous inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ok Hee Chai
- Department of Anatomy, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 561-756, Republic of Korea
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Quantitative real-time RT-PCR measurement of cytokine mRNA expression in the skin of normal cats and cats with allergic skin disease. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2008; 122:216-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2007.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2007] [Revised: 11/19/2007] [Accepted: 11/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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12
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Yu S, Stahl E, Li Q, Ouyang A. Antigen inhalation induces mast cells and eosinophils infiltration in the guinea pig esophageal epithelium involving histamine-mediated pathway. Life Sci 2008; 82:324-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2007.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2007] [Revised: 10/12/2007] [Accepted: 12/04/2007] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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13
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Taglinger K, Day M, Foster A. Characterization of Inflammatory Cell Infiltration in Feline Allergic Skin Disease. J Comp Pathol 2007; 137:211-223. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcpa.2007.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2007] [Accepted: 07/16/2007] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Nakazato A, Momoi Y, Kadoya M, Iwasaki T. Measurement of Feline Serum Interleukin-5 Level. J Vet Med Sci 2007; 69:843-6. [PMID: 17827893 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.69.843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A bioassay was developed to measure feline interleukin-5 (IL-5). Human IL-5 receptor alpha chain transfected murine Ba/F3 cells (Ba/F3-IL-5R) showed feline IL-5-dependent proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. IL-5 levels in serum samples from 54 cats with suspected allergic dermatitis and from 11 control cats could be successfully measured using Ba/F3-IL-5R cells. The number of eosinophils in peripheral blood was not correlated with serum IL-5 level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayumi Nakazato
- Department of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan
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Rüfenacht S, Marti E, von Tscharner C, Doherr MG, Forster U, Welle M, Roosje PJ. Immunoglobulin E-bearing cells and mast cells in skin biopsies of horses with urticaria. Vet Dermatol 2005; 16:94-101. [PMID: 15842539 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2005.00440.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of equine urticaria is not well understood. In man, urticaria has been associated with immunological and nonimmunological mechanisms leading to the release of various mediators by mast cells. Skin biopsies of 32 horses with a history of urticaria were stained with toluidine blue, a double-labelling method for chymase and tryptase, and immunohistochemistry for immunoglobulin (Ig)E. These horses were compared with horses with pemphigus foliaceus, insect bite hypersensitivity and control horses with healthy skin. Neither formalin fixation time nor biopsy site influenced the staining methods. No chymase-positive cells were found. In all groups of horses, cells staining with toluidine blue and for tryptase and IgE were found in the epidermis and hair follicle papilla and significantly more positively staining cells were observed in the subepidermal dermis compared with the deep dermis. Horses with urticaria had significantly more IgE-bearing cells in the subepidermal dermis than control horses. However, horses with urticaria had significantly fewer toluidine-blue-stained mast cells in both subepidermal and deep dermis compared with the insect bite hypersensitivity and pemphigus foliaceus groups. This study suggests that IgE-mediated reactions play a role in the pathogenesis of urticaria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rüfenacht
- Dermatology Unit, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Switzerland.
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