Histologic morphology and involucrin, filaggrin, and keratin expression in normal canine skin from dogs of different breeds and coat types

• Published in: Journal of veterinary science (Suwŏn-si, Korea) Vol. 13; no. 2; pp. 163 - 170
• Main Authors: Theerawatanasirikul, Sirin, Suriyaphol, Gunnaporn, Thanawongnuwech, Roongroje, Sailasuta, Achariya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한수의학회 01.06.2012; The Korean Society of Veterinary Science
• Subjects: Animals; DNA, Complementary - genetics; DNA, Complementary - metabolism; Dogs - anatomy & histology; Dogs - genetics; Dogs - metabolism; Gene Expression Regulation - physiology; Intermediate Filament Proteins - genetics; Intermediate Filament Proteins - metabolism; Keratin-10 - genetics; Keratin-10 - metabolism; Keratin-5 - genetics; Keratin-5 - metabolism; Original; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Polymerase Chain Reaction - veterinary; Protein Precursors - genetics; Protein Precursors - metabolism; RNA - genetics; RNA - metabolism; Skin - anatomy & histology; Skin - metabolism; 수의학; skin; involucrin; keratins; dog; filaggrin
• ISSN: 1229-845X; 1976-555X
• DOI: 10.4142/jvs.2012.13.2.163

The purpose of this study was to measure the thickness of canine epidermis at various anatomical sites according to localization of cornified envelopes (involucrin and filaggrin), keratins (keratin 10, 5), and their mRNA expression. This was done in the skin of five breeds of dogs including seven poodles, six golden retrievers, six Shih Tzus, four pugs, and four Labrador retrievers. Epidermal thickness of the stratum corneum and nucleated epidermal layer was significantly different. The greatest thickness was observed in the digital web area and the thinnest epidermis was in the axilla. Epidermal thickness was also significantly different between the breeds (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining scores revealed significant decreases of involucrin, filaggrin, and keratin 10 in the ventral and weight-bearing sites, and a relative increase of keratin 5 (p < 0.05). q-PCR analysis showed that their the levels of mRNA were positively correlated with expression of the corresponding proteins in skin samples (p < 0.05). The present study is the first to report the relationship between epidermal gene expression and histologic morphology of the skin in normal dogs. Further studies will be essential to fully understand the pathogenesis of skin barrier dysfunctions in canines.