Characterization of the canine skin barrier restoration following acute disruption by tape stripping

• Published in: Veterinary dermatology 2012-04, Vol.23 (2), p.103-e23
• Main Authors: Vidémont, Emilie, Mariani, Claire, Vidal, Stéphanie, Pin, Didier
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Dog Diseases - physiopathology; Dogs; Male; Skin - injuries; Skin Diseases - physiopathology; Skin Diseases - veterinary; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Water Loss, Insensible
• ISSN: 0959-4493; 1365-3164
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3164.2011.01019.x

The stratum corneum (SC) forms the main part of the permeability barrier of the skin. In mice and in humans, cutaneous barrier disruption can be generated by removing the SC with tape stripping (TS) and the skin barrier function can be assessed by measurement of transepidermal water loss (TEWL). The aim of the present study was to characterize the skin barrier restoration in the dog following mechanical disruption and to analyse the correlation between the skin barrier recovery and TEWL measurement. Thirty sequential TS were performed on 12 sites on four healthy beagle dogs. The number of TS was chosen to ensure a sufficient barrier disruption with a slow recovery. Skin repair was assessed for 72 h by clinical and histological examinations, and TEWL measurements. The results showed that performing 30 TS was adequate to disrupt the skin barrier in the dog. The homeostatic repair response, initiated in the skin, was rapid and characterized by complete restoration of the SC within 72 h, accompanied by greater basal cell proliferation, and dermal eosinophilic inflammation. TEWL was significantly increased by complete removal of the SC but recovered along with restoration of the SC (Scheffe test, P ≤ 0.05). Characterization of a canine model of barrier disruption and restoration and assessment of the skin barrier function by TEWL measurements could help better understand the events implied in skin barrier function. Development of this canine model is also necessary for future studies on the effects of treatments aimed at restoring the skin barrier. Résumé Le stratum corneum (SC) forme la partie principale de la barrière cutanée perméable. Chez l’homme et la souris, une rupture de la barrière cutanée peut être générée par retrait du SC à l’aide de cellophane adhésive (TS), et la fonction de barrière cutanée peut être évaluée par mesure de la perte hydrique transépidermique (TEWL). L’objectif de cette étude est de déterminer, à la suite d’une rupture mécanique, la restauration de la barrière cutanée chez le chien et d’analyser la corrélation entre cette restauration et la mesure du TEWL. Trente TS séquentielles ont été réalisées sur 12 sites sur quatre beagles sains. Le nombre de TS a été choisi pour permettre une rupture suffisante de la barrière cutanée avec une lente restauration. La réparation cutanée a étéévaluée pendant 72 heures par des examens cliniques et histologiques et des mesures de TEWL. Les résultats ont montré que de réaliser 30 TS permettait de r