T-cells in dogs with cutaneous food hypersensitivity

This study was conducted to determine whether skin-related clinical signs in cutaneous food hypersensitivity (CFH) coincide with immune reactivity in the intestine in dogs. Eight healthy control dogs and 11 dogs with CFH but without intestinal clinical signs were fed provocation and elimination diets.

This study was conducted to determine whether skin-related clinical signs in cutaneous food hypersensitivity (CFH) coincide with immune reactivity in the intestine in dogs. Eight healthy control dogs and 11 dogs with CFH but without intestinal clinical signs were fed provocation and elimination diets. Then the duodenal gene expression levels of Th1-, Th2- and Treg-related cytokines and transcription factors were investigated.
 
The expression of Th1-, Th2- and Treg-related genes in dogs with CFH and control dogs was similar. Although clinical signs disappeared, the elimination diet had no effect on cytokines, transcription factors or cellular phenotypes.
 
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 suggests the intestinal mucosa is not the primary site of T-cell activation that eventually leads to cutaneous food hypersensitivity.
 
Source : E. Z. Veenhof et al., 2010. Evaluation of T-cell activation in the duodenum of dogs with cutaneous food hypersensitivity. AJVR 71: 441-446. doi: 10.2460/ajvr.71.4.441
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