Evaluation of T-cell activation in the duodenum of dogs with cutaneous food hypersensitivity.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether skin-related clinical signs in cutaneous food hypersensitivity (CFH) coincide with immune reactivity in the intestine in dogs.


METHODS
11 dogs with CFH without intestinal clinical signs and 8 healthy control dogs.


METHODS
After a provocation and elimination diet, the duodenal gene expression levels of Th1-, Th2- and Treg-related cytokines and transcription factors were investigated by means of quantitative PCR assay. The presence of CD3(+), CD8(+), CD4(+), CD1c(+), gammadelta T-cell receptor(+), and major histocompatibility complex II(+) cells in duodenal epithelium and lamina propria were determined.


RESULTS
The expression of Th1-, Th2-, and Treg-related genes in dogs with CFH and healthy control dogs was similar. Although clinical signs disappeared, there was no effect of the elimination diet on cytokines, transcription factors, or cellular phenotypes.


CONCLUSIONS
No change in T-cell phenotypes or a distinct Th1, Th2, or Treg profile was detected in the duodenum of dogs with only cutaneous clinical signs of food hypersensitivity. This suggested that the intestinal mucosa is not the primary site of T-cell activation that eventually leads to cutaneous food hypersensitivity.
Veenhof
Eveline Z
EZ
Department of Clinical Sciences of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, 3584 CM Utrecht, The Netherlands. e.z.veenhof@uu.nl
Rutten
Victor P
VP
van Noort
Ronald
R
Knol
Edward F
EF
Willemse
Ton
T
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000378:metabolism*; D004285:Dogs; D004386:Duodenum / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D014157:Transcription Factors