Microarray Gene Expression Analysis of Lesional Skin in Canine Vesicular Cutaneous Lupus Erythematosus (VCLE).

VCLE is driven by interferon-stimulated gene signatures and JAK-STAT signaling, suggesting therapeutic targets.

This microarray gene expression study analyzed lesional skin from six dogs with vesicular cutaneous lupus erythematosus (VCLE) compared to five healthy controls using the NanoString nCounter platform targeting 780 immune-related genes. Principal component analysis clearly separated VCLE from control samples. The study identified 491 differentially expressed genes, with 439 upregulated and 52 downregulated. Key upregulated genes included interferon-stimulated genes (CXCL10, IDO1, ISG15, IFIT1), cytotoxic molecules (GZMB, PRF1, FASLG), pro-inflammatory chemokines (CXCL8, CCL3, CCL4), and S100 family markers. Downregulated genes included DLA-DQB1, ERBB4, CCL27, GATA3, and RORC. Cell type profiling revealed enrichment of CD8 T cells, cytotoxic T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and neutrophils. Pathway analysis demonstrated activation of interferon signaling, JAK-STAT signaling, chemotaxis, and cytotoxic immune pathways. These findings suggest VCLE is characterized by interferon-stimulated gene signatures and cytotoxic lymphocyte-mediated immune responses, identifying interferon and JAK-STAT signaling as potential therapeutic targets.

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