Reconstructed interfollicular feline epidermis as a model for Microsporum canis dermatophytosis.
Microsporum canis is a pathogenic fungus that causes a superficial cutaneous infection called dermatophytosis. The complexity of mechanisms involved in dermatophytic infections makes relevant in vivo studies particularly difficult to perform. The aim of this study was to develop a new in vitro model of M. canis dermatophytosis using feline fetal keratinocytes in reconstructed interfollicular epidermis, and to investigate its relevance in studying the host-pathogen relationship. Histological analysis of reconstructed interfollicular feline epidermis (RFE) revealed a fully differentiated epidermis. A proliferation assay showed replicating cells only in the basal layer, indicating that RFE is a well-stratified living tissue, leading to the formation of a horny layer. Histopathological analysis of RFE infected by M. canis arthroconidia revealed that the fungus invades the stratum corneum and produces SUB3, a keratinase implicated in the infectious process. In view of these results, an M. canis dermatophytosis model on RFE seems to be a useful tool to investigate mechanisms involved in natural M. canis feline infections.
Tabart
Jeremy
J
Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B43 Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Baldo
Aline
A
Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B43 Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Vermout
Sandy
S
Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B43 Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Nusgens
Betty
B
Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, University of Liège, Tour de Pathologie B23/3, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Lapiere
Charles
C
Laboratory of Connective Tissues Biology, University of Liège, Tour de Pathologie B23/3, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Losson
Bertrand
B
Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B43 Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
Mignon
Bernard
B
Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, B43 Sart Tilman, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000254:growth & development / Q000382:microbiology*; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D008864:Microsporum / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D008954:Models, Biological