Alterations in skin barrier function and filaggrin expression have been reported in atopic dermatitis (AD). Caspase-14, a protease important for filaggrin processing, is decreased in human AD. Atopic Beagle dogs with skin barrier alterations have been validated as model for AD. This study aimed to investigate caspase-14 in normal and atopic Beagle dogs. Skin biopsies from non-lesional and control skin were analyzed for caspase-14 by immunofluorescence. Six images/sections were blindly scored for intensity. Data were tested with unpaired Student's
t test. Caspase-14 was decreased in atopic compared to normal skin both quantitatively and qualitatively. In conclusion, caspase-14 is decreased in this model similarly to reports in humans, highlighting the relevance of filaggrin metabolic defects in AD. In Marsella, R., Papastavros, V., Ahrens, K., & Santoro, D. (2016). Decreased expression of caspase-14 in an experimental model of canine atopic dermatitis. The Veterinary Journal