title: Hereditary cutaneous mucinosis in shar pei dogs is associated with increased hyaluronan synthase-2 mRNA transcription by cultured dermal fibroblasts.
abstract: Shar pei dogs are known for the distinctive feature of thick, wrinkled skin as a consequence of high dermal mucin content. Excessive dermal deposition of mucinous substance leading to severe skin folding, and/or to the more severe vesicular form characterized by dermal vesicles or bullae, is highly prevalent in this breed and is known as idiopathic mucinosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main component that accumulates in the dermis, and high levels of HA have also been detected in the serum of shar pei dogs. In this study, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cutaneous mucinosis of shar pei dogs were investigated. Thirteen shar pei dogs and four control dogs of other breeds were included. In primary dermal fibroblast cultures, transcription of the family of hyaluronan synthases (HAS) involved in HA synthesis, and of hyaluronidases (HYAL) involved in HA degradation, were studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The location of HA in cell cultures was studied by immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy. Dermal fibroblasts transcribed HAS2, HAS3, HYAL1 and HYAL2, but no amplification for HAS1 was found. A higher transcription of HAS2 was demonstrated in shar pei dogs compared with control dogs. By confocal microscopy, HA was detected as a more diffuse and intense network-like pattern of green fluorescence in the fibroblast cells of shar pei dogs in comparison with control dogs. Together, these results provide additional evidence that hereditary cutaneous mucinosis in shar pei dogs may be a consequence of over-transcription or increased activity of HAS2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Giordana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zanna
authors.forename: María J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Docampo
authors.forename: Dolors
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fondevila
authors.forename: Mar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bardagí
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bassols
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020405:Dermis / Q000166:cytology*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000507:Mucinosis, Follicular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014453:Glucuronosyltransferase