Expression of selectins and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 in dogs with lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis

Lymphocytic-plasmacytic enteritis (LPE) is the most common form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) affecting the canine small intestine; however, the molecular pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. Although selectins and their ligands play a critical role as cell adhesion molecules during inflammation, there is very little information about their involvement in canine LPE. The aim of this study was to evaluate transcript expression of selectins (E-, L-, and P- selectin) and P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) in the duodenal mucosa of 21 dogs with LPE and 10 healthy laboratory beagles. Duodenal expression of E-selectin, L-selectin, P-selectin, and PSGL-1 was quantified by real-time reverse-transcription PCR. Correlations between clinical severity, histopathological grade, selectins, and PSGL-1 were analyzed by Spearman's rank test. Transcript expression of duodenal E- and P-selectins and PSGL-1 was higher in dogs with LPE than in healthy laboratory beagles; however, there was no difference in L-selectin expression. Positive correlations between E- and L-selectin and between L- and P-selectin were observed in the duodenum of LPE dogs. The selectins and ligand may recruit circulating inflammatory cells into the lesion. These findings improve our understanding of the inflammatory cascade of canine LPE.