Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder resulting from imbalance between T lymphocytes. Current canine AD treatments use immunomodulatory drugs, but some of the dogs have limitations that do not respond to standard treatment, or relapse after a period of time. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of mesenchymal stem cells derived from canine adipose tissue (cASCs) and cASCs-derived extracellular vesicles (cASC-EVs) on AD. First, we isolated and characterized cASCs and cASCs-EVs to use for the improvement of canine atopic dermatitis. Here, we investigated the effect of cASCs or cASC-EVs on DNCB-induced AD in mice, before using for canine AD. Interestingly, we found that cASCs and cASC-EVs improved AD-like dermatitis, and markedly decreased levels of serum IgE, (49.6%, p = 0.002 and 32.1%, p = 0.016 respectively) epidermal inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-4 (32%, p = 0.197 and 44%, p = 0.094 respectively), IL-13 (47.4%, p = 0.163, and 50.0%, p = 0.039 respectively), IL-31 (64.3%, p = 0.030 and 76.2%, p = 0.016 respectively), RANTES (66.7%, p = 0.002 and 55.6%, p = 0.007) and TARC (64%, p = 0.016 and 86%, p = 0.010 respectively). In addition, cASCs or cASC-EVs promoted skin barrier repair by restoring transepidermal water loss, enhancing stratum corneum hydration and upregulating the expression levels of epidermal differentiation proteins. Moreover, cASCs or cASC-EVs reduced IL-31/TRPA1-mediated pruritus and activation of JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Taken together, these results suggest the potential of cASCs or cASC-EVs for the treatment of chronic inflammation and damaged skin barrier in AD or canine AD.
Keywords: atopic dermatitis; canine; extracellular vesicle; inflammation; mesenchymal stem cell; pruritus; skin barrier function.