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Characterisation of lymphocyte subpopulations in the skin and circulation of horses with sweet itch (Culicoides hypersensitivity).
Abstract: Circulating lymphocyte numbers are elevated in horses with the allergic skin disease sweet itch and skin lesions are typified by an infiltrate of eosinophils and mononuclear cells, the latter of which have not been fully characterised. The aim of the present study was to characterise the lymphocyte subpopulations in the circulation and skin of ponies with sweet itch by flow cytometry and a newly developed modified alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique. Sweet itch ponies were found to have significantly greater numbers of circulating CD5+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes than normal animals. Increased numbers of CD3+ T-lymphocytes, most of which were CD4+, and eosinophils were present in the skin of these animals following intradermal injection of a Culicoides antigen extract (97 +/- 21 vs. 449 +/- 49 CD3+ T-lymphocytes/mm2 in deep dermis of vehicle vs. antigen injected sites; 83 +/- 8% CD4+ T-lymphocytes at antigen injected site). T-lymphocytes, which are thought to be important in the pathogenesis of human allergic skin disease, may therefore contribute to the development of sweet itch lesions via the release of cytokines which can cause eosinophil accumulation and activation. An understanding of the pathology of this disease may lead to a more rational approach to therapy.
Publication Date: 1999-12-22 PubMed ID: 10596926DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03852.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research investigates the subpopulations of lymphocytes in horses suffering from sweet itch, an allergic skin disease. It was found that these horses had higher numbers of specific types of T-lymphocytes in their blood and skin, suggesting that these cells possibly play a significant role in the development of the disease’s lesions.
Study Objectives
- The primary aim of this study was to deeply understand the subsets of lymphocytes present both in the blood and skin of ponies suffering from sweet itch—an allergic skin condition.
- Researchers used advanced scientific techniques such as flow cytometry and modified alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique. This was undertaken to provide detailed insights into the types of cells involved in the disease’s development.
Findings
- Horses suffering from sweet itch were discovered to have significantly higher numbers of CD5+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes circulating in their blood compared to healthy horses.
- In the skin of affected horses, researchers observed an increased number of CD3+ T-lymphocytes, predominantly of the CD4+ variety, and eosinophils. This increase was particularly noticeable post-injection with a Culicoides antigen extract—a procedure that simulates the disease’s trigger.
Implications of the Study
- The elevated levels of specific T-lymphocytes in both the blood and skin of horses with sweet itch imply a possible significant role of these cells in the formation of this allergic skin disease’s lesions.
- T-lymphocytes are known to contribute significantly to the pathogenesis of human allergic skin diseases. They can release cytokines that cause eosinophil accumulation and activation, mechanisms which are likely involved in sweet itch as well.
- With a deeper understanding of the disease’s pathology, it could lead to more effective and rational therapeutic strategies for managing and treating sweet itch in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
McKelvie J, Foster AP, Cunningham FM, Hamblin AS.
(1999).
Characterisation of lymphocyte subpopulations in the skin and circulation of horses with sweet itch (Culicoides hypersensitivity).
Equine Vet J, 31(6), 466-472.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1999.tb03852.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, North Mymms, Herts, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Alkaline Phosphatase
- Animals
- CD3 Complex / analysis
- CD4 Antigens / analysis
- CD5 Antigens / analysis
- Cell Separation
- Ceratopogonidae
- Chronic Disease
- Flow Cytometry
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses
- Immunoenzyme Techniques
- Insect Bites and Stings / complications
- Insect Bites and Stings / immunology
- Lymphocyte Count
- Pruritus / etiology
- Pruritus / immunology
- Pruritus / veterinary
- Seasons
- Skin Tests
- T-Lymphocytes / immunology
Grant Funding
- Wellcome Trust
Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Novotny EN, White SJ, Wilson AD, Stefánsdóttir SB, Tijhaar E, Jonsdóttir S, Frey R, Reiche D, Rose H, Rhyner C, Schüpbach-Regula G, Torsteinsdóttir S, Alcocer M, Marti E. Component-resolved microarray analysis of IgE sensitization profiles to Culicoides recombinant allergens in horses with insect bite hypersensitivity. Allergy 2021 Apr;76(4):1147-1157.
- Olomski F, Fettelschoss V, Jonsdottir S, Birkmann K, Thoms F, Marti E, Bachmann MF, Kündig TM, Fettelschoss-Gabriel A. Interleukin 31 in insect bite hypersensitivity-Alleviating clinical symptoms by active vaccination against itch. Allergy 2020 Apr;75(4):862-871.
- Langner KF, Jarvis DL, Nimtz M, Heselhaus JE, McHolland LE, Leibold W, Drolet BS. Identification, expression and characterisation of a major salivary allergen (Cul s 1) of the biting midge Culicoides sonorensis relevant for summer eczema in horses. Int J Parasitol 2009 Jan;39(2):243-50.
- Schwarz E, Jebbawi F, Keller G, Rhiner T, Fricker A, Waldern N, Canonica F, Schoster A, Fettelschoss-Gabriel A. Phenotypic Shift of an Inflammatory Eosinophil Subset into a Steady-State Resident Phenotype after 2 Years of Vaccination against IL-5 in Equine Insect Bite Hypersensitivity. Vet Sci 2024 Oct 5;11(10).
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