Gene expression analysis of Canine Demodicosis; A milieu promoting immune tolerance

Canine demodicosis is a common skin disease seen in companion animal practice that results from an overpopulation of the commensal Demodex mite species. Common predisposing factors to the development of canine demodicosis include immunosuppressive diseases, such as neoplasia and hypothyroidism, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Veterinary parasitology 2023-07, Vol.319, p.109954-109954, Article 109954
Main Authors: Kelly, Pamela A., Browne, John, Peters, Susan, Bell, Frazer, McKay, Jennifer S., Lara-Saez, Irene, Breathnach, Rory
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Demodex
Demodicosis
Immune checkpoint molecules
Immune modulation
Immune tolerance
Veterinary dermatology
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Summary:Canine demodicosis is a common skin disease seen in companion animal practice that results from an overpopulation of the commensal Demodex mite species. Common predisposing factors to the development of canine demodicosis include immunosuppressive diseases, such as neoplasia and hypothyroidism, and administration of immunosuppressive therapies, such as corticosteroids. Despite this, the pathogenesis of development of canine demodicosis remains unclear. Previous studies have implicated a role for increased expression of toll like receptor 2 (TLR2), increased production of interleukin (IL)-10) and T cell exhaustion. Here, we investigate gene expression of formalin fixed paraffin embedded skin samples from twelve cases of canine demodicosis in comparison to twelve healthy controls, using a 770 gene panel (NanoString Canine IO Panel). Results show an increase in the T cell population, specifically Th1 and Treg cells in dogs with demodicosis. In addition, while there is an upregulation of immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-13, there is also an upregulation of immune check point molecules including PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4. These findings suggest that Demodex spp. mites are modulating the host immune system to their advantage through upregulation of several immune tolerance promoting pathways. •There is a significant increase in dermal CD4+ cells in canine demodicosis.•Dermal Th1 and Treg cells are significantly increased in canine demodicosis.•Dermal Th2 cells are significantly decreased in canine demodicosis.•Gene expression of immune checkpoint molecules was increased in canine demodicosis.
ISSN:0304-4017
1873-2550
DOI:10.1016/j.vetpar.2023.109954