Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Stem cell therapy for steroid-resistant pemphigus foliaceus in a dog
By Sei-Myoung Han et al.·Published in BMC Veterinary Research·2015·View original on Semantic Scholar →
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Original publication title: CTLA4 overexpressing adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy in a dog with steroid-refractory pemphigus foliaceus
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-year-old Shih Tzu was brought in with severe itching and loss of appetite due to a skin condition called pemphigus foliaceus, which is an autoimmune disease. Previous treatments with steroids and other medications didn't work, so the vet tried a new therapy using special stem cells that help regulate the immune system. Over 20 months, the dog received these stem cells 21 times, while the vet slowly reduced the steroid medication. The dog's skin improved significantly, and after treatment, he was able to manage his condition with a low dose of steroids for a year without any relapse of symptoms.
People also search for: Shih Tzu skin problems · pemphigus foliaceus treatment for dogs · stem cell therapy for dog autoimmune disease
Abstract
BackgroundCanine pemphigus foliaceus is an autoimmune antibody-mediated skin disease characterized by acantholysis. The objective of this case report is to present the successful management of steroid refractory pemphigus foliaceus with cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 (CTLA4)-overexpressing adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (ATMSCs).Case presentationA 10-year-old, 12.3-kg, castrated male Shih Tzu presented with severe pruritus and anorexia. The diagnosis of pemphigus foliaceus was made based on its history, physical examination, and histopathology results of a skin biopsy. Treatment with prednisolone and combination therapy of other immunosuppressive drugs had failed; therefore, immunosuppressive gene, CTLA4 overexpressing ATMSCs (CTLA4-ATMSCs) and/or naive ATMSCs administration was performed with the consent of the owner. ATMSCs were administered 21 times over a period of 20 months with intervals of 2 to 8 week. Prednisolone was gradually tapered concurrently and no relapse of the clinical signs was observed. After the termination of CTLA4-ATMSCs and/or naive ATMSCs treatment, the skin lesions had improved and could be managed with a low dose of prednisolone for 12 months.ConclusionCTLA4-ATMSCs or naive ATMSCs transplantation may be beneficial as adjunctive therapy to initiate and maintain the remission of skin lesions caused by pemphigus foliaceus in veterinary medicine.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/25889154