Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Why Shar Pei Dogs Get Thick Wrinkled Skin from Mucin Buildup
By Zanna, Giordana et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2009·Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Spain·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Hereditary cutaneous mucinosis in shar pei dogs is associated with increased hyaluronan synthase-2 mRNA transcription by cultured dermal fibroblasts.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Shar Pei dogs with thick, wrinkled skin was studied to understand their skin condition known as hereditary cutaneous mucinosis. This condition is caused by an excess of a substance called hyaluronic acid, which leads to severe skin folding and sometimes blisters. Researchers found that the skin cells of Shar Pei dogs produced more of the enzyme responsible for making hyaluronic acid compared to other breeds. This suggests that the skin issues in Shar Pei dogs are linked to increased activity of this enzyme.
People also search for: Shar Pei skin problems · why is my Shar Pei so wrinkled · treatment for dog mucinosis
Abstract
Shar pei dogs are known for the distinctive feature of thick, wrinkled skin as a consequence of high dermal mucin content. Excessive dermal deposition of mucinous substance leading to severe skin folding, and/or to the more severe vesicular form characterized by dermal vesicles or bullae, is highly prevalent in this breed and is known as idiopathic mucinosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is the main component that accumulates in the dermis, and high levels of HA have also been detected in the serum of shar pei dogs. In this study, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying cutaneous mucinosis of shar pei dogs were investigated. Thirteen shar pei dogs and four control dogs of other breeds were included. In primary dermal fibroblast cultures, transcription of the family of hyaluronan synthases (HAS) involved in HA synthesis, and of hyaluronidases (HYAL) involved in HA degradation, were studied by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. The location of HA in cell cultures was studied by immunofluorescence and confocal laser microscopy. Dermal fibroblasts transcribed HAS2, HAS3, HYAL1 and HYAL2, but no amplification for HAS1 was found. A higher transcription of HAS2 was demonstrated in shar pei dogs compared with control dogs. By confocal microscopy, HA was detected as a more diffuse and intense network-like pattern of green fluorescence in the fibroblast cells of shar pei dogs in comparison with control dogs. Together, these results provide additional evidence that hereditary cutaneous mucinosis in shar pei dogs may be a consequence of over-transcription or increased activity of HAS2.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20178474/