title: Cowhage can induce itch in the atopic dog.
abstract: Itch is a cardinal symptom of atopic dermatitis in humans and dogs. Until now, experimental induction of itch in dogs has proven difficult. The objectives of this study were to determine whether protease-rich spicules, protein extracts and the protease mucunain of the tropical legume cowhage provoked itch and inflammation when rubbed onto canine skin. Native spicules variably induced itch manifestations in about half of the dogs, while challenges with protease-deactivated spicules remained negative. The epicutaneous application of cowhage extract and mucunain after microneedle roller usage also induced pruritus and inflammation. Importantly, there was an interindividual inconsistency in pruritus and inflammation induction and also marked differences in pruritus intensity after challenge. In conclusion, cowhage spicules, protein-rich extracts and mucunain can all induce pruritus and inflammation in dogs as in other species, but the inconsistency of provocation is currently a limitation of this challenge type for future studies of pruritus in dogs.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olivry
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bizikova
authors.forename: Judy S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Paps
authors.forename: Stan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dunston
authors.forename: Ethan A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Lerner
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yosipovitch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D006358:Hot Temperature; D007249:Inflammation; D031299:Mucuna / Q000378:metabolism*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000737:chemistry*; D011489:Protein Denaturation; D011537:Pruritus / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases