Transient and reversible reduction of stratum corneum filaggrin degradation products after allergen challenge in experimentally mite-sensitised atopic dogs.

Background: A defective skin barrier occurs in dogs with atopic dermatitis, and there is controversy over whether this defect pre-exists, or is secondary to allergic inflammation.

Objectives: To study if an allergen challenge decreases the natural moisturising factor (NMF), which contains the main filaggrin degradation products.

Animals: Four house dust mite (HDM)-sensitised adult atopic dogs from a research colony.

Periostin Activation of Integrin Receptors on Sensory Neurons Induces Allergic Itch.

Chronic allergic itch is a common symptom affecting millions of people and animals, but its pathogenesis is not fully explained. Herein, we show that periostin, abundantly expressed in the skin of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD), induces itch in mice, dogs, and monkeys. We identify the integrin αβ3 expressed on a subset of sensory neurons as the periostin receptor.

Proactive maintenance therapy of canine atopic dermatitis with the anti-IL-31 lokivetmab. Can a monoclonal antibody blocking a single cytokine prevent allergy flares?

Background: Once the signs of canine atopic dermatitis (AD) are controlled, the proactive application of topical glucocorticoids can delay disease flares.

Objectives: We wished to determine if the proactive administration of the anti-IL-31 lokivetmab would prevent or delay flares of canine AD.

Animals: We tested this strategy in four Maltese-beagle atopic dogs before enrolling 21 dogs with spontaneous AD.

Proof of concept of the preventive efficacy of high-dose recombinant mono-allergen immunotherapy in atopic dogs sensitized to the Dermatophagoides farinae allergen Der f 2.

Background: Allergen immunotherapy is currently the only intervention proposed to specifically prevent clinical flares after allergen challenges. The low molecular weight Der f 2 (Df2) is a major allergen in Japanese dogs sensitized to Dermatophagoides farinae house dust mites.

Objectives: Pilot, blinded, placebo-controlled experiment testing the efficacy of subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) with high doses of recombinant Df2 conjugated to the maltotriose pullulan (rDf2-P).

Early Activation of Th2/Th22 Inflammatory and Pruritogenic Pathways in Acute Canine Atopic Dermatitis Skin Lesions.

Determining inflammation and itch pathway activation in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) is fraught with the inability to precisely assess the age of skin lesions, thus affecting the analysis of time-dependent mediators. To characterize inflammatory events occurring during early experimental acute AD lesions, biopsy samples were collected 6, 24, and 48 hours after epicutaneous application of Dermatophagoides farinae house dust mites to sensitized atopic dogs. The skin transcriptome was assessed using a dog-specific microarray and quantitative PCR.

Cowhage can induce itch in the atopic dog.

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.

Validation of a novel epicutaneous delivery system for patch testing of house dust mite-hypersensitive dogs.

Background: Patch tests with allergens are used for the evaluation of cellular hypersensitivity to food and environmental allergens in dogs and humans with atopic dermatitis. Viaskin is a novel allergen epicutaneous delivery system that enhances epidermal allergen capture by immune cells.

Objectives: To compare the use of Viaskin and Finn chamber patch tests in dogs hypersensitive to mite allergens.

Deficient plakophilin-1 expression due to a mutation in PKP1 causes ectodermal dysplasia-skin fragility syndrome in Chesapeake Bay retriever dogs.

In humans, congenital and hereditary skin diseases associated with epidermal cell-cell separation (acantholysis) are very rare, and spontaneous animal models of these diseases are exceptional. Our objectives are to report a novel congenital acantholytic dermatosis that developed in Chesapeake Bay retriever dogs. Nine affected puppies in four different litters were born to eight closely related clinically normal dogs.

Stratum corneum removal facilitates experimental sensitization to mite allergens in atopic dogs.

In humans with atopic dermatitis and in mouse models of IgE-mediated allergic diseases, evidence is mounting that the stratum corneum (SC) provides an important barrier against environmental allergens. At this time, it is not known whether the SC has a similar role in dogs, especially in those with atopic dermatitis. The objectives of this pilot study were to determine whether SC removal led to earlier and stronger sensitization of atopic dogs to Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) house dust mites.

A blinded randomized controlled trial evaluating the usefulness of a novel diet (aminoprotect care) in dogs with spontaneous food allergy.

Aminoprotect Care (APC) is a novel diet composed of aminoacids, potato proteins and corn starch. The objectives of this study were to determine whether Maltese-Beagle atopic (MBA) dogs hypersensitive to corn exhibited clinical signs and changes in immunological markers after being fed APC. The study was designed as a blinded randomized controlled crossover experiment.