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The characteristics of contrast media formulation (mgI/ml, osmolarity, and viscosity) are generally not considered important in computed tomography (CT) angiography in animals. The purpose of this study was to assess the contrast effect in CT angiography as a function of contrast media formulation, with a constant iodine dose. The contrast effects of three contrast media with different iodine concentrations were compared by administering identical iodine dosages (mgI/kg). The contrast effects of the three contrast media differed, and the area under the time–attenuation curve of iohexol 350 mgI/ml, which had the highest iodine concentration, was the lowest. It was hypothesized that the contrast effect of a contrast medium decreases with higher iodine concentration because of the high amount of residual iodine present in the circulatory system from the injection site to the portion immediately before the great vessels. In addition, the influence of osmotic dilution on contrast media with high osmolarity was also considered. In conclusion, the contrast effect varies with different contrast media formulations, even when the same iodine dosage is administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study cloned canine interleukin-12 receptor beta2 (IL-12Rβ2). Its nucleotide sequences were determined. Canine IL-12Rβ2 showed 85.4% homology at the nucleotide level and 76.8% homology at the amino acid level with human IL-12Rβ2. Its structural motifs were well conserved. We also cloned cDNA with a 91-bp deletion including the transmembrane region, which produced a frame shift and an early stop codon. Examination of the expression of deleted canine IL-12Rβ2 mRNA revealed that both deleted and intact mRNAs were expressed at a constant ratio in all the dogs. Results suggested that expression of the deleted mRNA was constitutive and produced by alternative splicing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Dendritic cells are specialized antigen-presenting cells with immuno-modulating functions that are attractive for clinical applications for cancer immunotherapy. This study examined immunostimulatory functions of phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-stimulated adherent cells (PHA-Ad cells) from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in dogs. PHA-Ad cells enhanced interferon-γ from autologous PBMCin vitro. PHA-Ad cells also stimulated antigen-independent proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes. These results suggest that PHA-Ad cells from PBMC possess a stimulatory function to evoke anti-tumour immunity and that they demonstrate potential for therapeutic applications in dogs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergen-specific immunotherapy has been applied to canine atopic dermatitis. Despite the accumulated clinical evidence of its effect for atopic dogs, the basic immunologic mechanisms were not fully understood. In this study, the cytokine profile ex vivo in canine atopic dermatitis before and after allergen-specific immunotherapy was characterized using competitive reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR). Blood samples were collected from 10 dogs with atopic dermatitis and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were stimulated with house dust mite antigen. The levels of IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA were lower in atopic dogs compared with non-atopic controls. The ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 was low in atopic dogs indicating a cytokine profile polarized to Th2. The level of IFN-γ after immunotherapy was significantly higher than that before (P < 0.05) whereas that of IL-4 mRNA was not changed. Consequently, the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 after immunotherapy was significantly higher than that before immunotherapy (P < 0.05). These results indicate a Th2 cytokine bias is the dominant state in atopic dogs and allergen-specific immunotherapy causes a shift to wards a Th1 bias by enhancing IFN-γ expression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to generate a recombinant protein to represent the entire extracellular domain of canine desmoglein 1 (Dsg1), a desmosomal cell–cell adhesion molecule, by the baculovirus expression system. Cotransfection of a baculovirus transfer vector containing the cDNA for the entire extracellular domain of canine Dsg1 with baculovirus DNA into insect cells resulted in the secretion of soluble canine Dsg1 into insect culture supernatants. Immunoreactivity of 11 human pemphigus foliaceus (PF) sera against the cell surface of canine keratinocytes was completely removed when the sera were preincubated with the canine Dsg1 baculoprotein. This recombinant canine Dsg1 produced by baculovirus shares the major epitopes of the authentic canine Dsg1 recognized by human PF sera, and will be useful in studying the molecular pathophysiological mechanisms in PF and impetigo in canine patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]