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Comparison of cellular location and expression of Plakophilin‐2 in epidermal cells from nonlesional atopic skin and healthy skin in German shepherd dogs
Author(s) -
ArdesjöLundgren Brita,
Tengvall Katarina,
Bergvall Kerstin,
Farias Fabiana H.G.,
Wang Liya,
Hedhammar Åke,
LindbladToh Kerstin,
Andersson Göran
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
veterinary dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.744
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1365-3164
pISSN - 0959-4493
DOI - 10.1111/vde.12441
Subject(s) - desmosome , biology , stratum spinosum , immunofluorescence , pathology , atopic dermatitis , cell , medicine , immunology , stratum corneum , genetics , antibody
Background Canine atopic dermatitis ( CAD ) is an inflammatory and pruritic allergic skin disease caused by interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Previously, a genome‐wide significant risk locus on canine chromosome 27 for CAD was identified in German shepherd dogs ( GSD s) and Plakophilin‐2 ( PKP 2 ) was defined as the top candidate gene. PKP 2 constitutes a crucial component of desmosomes and also is important in signalling, metabolic and transcriptional activities. Objectives The main objective was to evaluate the role of PKP 2 in CAD by investigating PKP 2 expression and desmosome structure in nonlesional skin from CAD ‐affected (carrying the top GWAS SNP risk allele) and healthy GSD s. We also aimed at defining the cell types in the skin that express PKP 2 and its intracellular location. Animals/Methods Skin biopsies were collected from nine CAD ‐affected and five control GSD s. The biopsies were frozen for immunofluorescence and fixed for electron microscopy immunolabelling and morphology. Results We observed the novel finding of PKP 2 expression in dendritic cells and T cells in dog skin. Moreover, we detected that PKP 2 was more evenly expressed within keratinocytes compared to its desmosomal binding‐partner plakoglobin. PKP 2 protein was located in the nucleus and on keratin filaments attached to desmosomes. No difference in PKP 2 abundance between CAD cases and controls was observed. Conclusion Plakophilin‐2 protein in dog skin is expressed in both epithelial and immune cells; based on its subcellular location its functional role is implicated in both nuclear and structural processes.