Immunohistochemical analysis of the distribution of desmoglein 1 and 2 in the skin of dogs and cats.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the distribution of desmoglein (Dsg) 1 and 2 in skin specimens obtained from dogs and cats to provide information about the possible role of the density of Dsg 1 and 2 in the localization of lesions attributable to pemphigus foliaceus in these 2 species.


METHODS
Skin biopsy specimens obtained from 4 dogs and 4 cats.


METHODS
Biopsy specimens were collected from the muzzle, bridge of the nose, ear, dorsum, abdomen, area adjacent to the teats, and footpads of each animal. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin samples by use of a biotinylated mouse monoclonal anti-Dsg 1 and 2 antibody raised against bovine muzzle. Color development was performed by use of the streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase method with a chromogenic substrate.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical staining yielded a positive reaction in skin samples obtained from all anatomic sites. The intensity and distribution of staining were related to the number of layers of the stratum spinosum. No differences were detected between samples obtained from dogs and cats.


CONCLUSIONS
No differences in intensity of Dsg 1 and 2 antigen were observed in the stratum spinosum between skin samples obtained from dogs and cats. Analysis of this result suggests that factors other than the distribution of Dsg may be responsible for the differences in localization of primary clinical lesions in dogs and cats with pemphigus foliaceus.
Miragliotta
Vincenzo
V
Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy.
Coli
Alessandra
A
Ricciardi
Maria P
MP
Podestà
Adriano
A
Abramo
Francesca
F
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D002415:Cats; D051183:Desmoglein 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D051301:Desmoglein 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010392:Pemphigus / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism*
D051183:Desmoglein 1; D051301:Desmoglein 2