Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Reduced early life blood regulatory T cells in West Highland white
By Rostaher, Ana et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2021·Clinic for Small Animal Internal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Atopic dermatitis in West Highland white terriers - Part III: early life peripheral blood regulatory T cells are reduced in atopic dermatitis.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of West Highland white terrier puppies was studied to understand why some develop atopic dermatitis (a skin allergy) while others remain healthy. Researchers found that puppies who later showed signs of this allergy had lower levels of certain immune cells (regulatory T cells) compared to those who stayed healthy. Additionally, the presence of specific bacteria on the skin was linked to these immune cell levels. While this research sheds light on the immune response in these dogs, more studies are needed to find effective ways to diagnose and treat atopic dermatitis in pets.
People also search for: West Highland white terrier skin allergy · puppy atopic dermatitis treatment · why is my dog itching · immune system in dogs · dog skin problems causes
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Regulatory T (Treg) cells are involved in homeostasis of immune regulation and suppression of inflammation and T-cell polarisation. Current knowledge regarding the role of Treg cells in the initiation of allergic disease is limited for both people and dogs. OBJECTIVES: To explore the role of circulating Treg cells and their possible influencing factors, on the development of atopic dermatitis (AD). METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study followed part of a birth cohort of West Highland white terrier dogs and classified them according to eventual clinical signs of AD (i.e. allergic versus healthy). The Treg phenotypes were assessed longitudinally by flow cytometry at 3, 3-12 and 12-36 months of age, and associated with development of AD. Different early life antigenic factors [endotoxins and allergens in house dust, Toxocara canis-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E/IgG, allergen-specific and total IgE, skin microbiota] were measured at three months of age, and a possible association with Treg cell levels was assessed. RESULTS: The percentages of CD4CD25Foxp3Treg cells in healthy dogs were significantly higher at in 3-month-old (mean 4.5% healthy versus 3.3% allergic; P = 0.021) and <1-year-old (4.0% healthy versus 2.9% allergic; P = 0.028) dogs when compared to percentages of Treg cells in dogs that developed AD. There was a significantly positive correlation between the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae on the skin and CD4CD25Foxp3Treg cells in puppies that became allergic (r = 0.568, P = 0.017). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Further large-scale studies are needed to identify the practical value of these findings in AD diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33565202/