Skin immune cell characterization in juvenile and adult Gottingen Minipigs

The skin hosts a sophisticated immune system involving responses from both innate and adaptive immune cell populations. Swine skin is close to human skin by its structure, composition and function. In addition, the minipig is considered the model of choice in toxicology studies for drugs applied by the dermal route and developed for both the adult and paediatric indications. However, knowledge on the skin immune system in minipigs, particularly in Gottingen Minipigs, is still limited. The objective of our work was first to characterize the main skin immune populations (Langerhans cells, dermal dendritic cells, macrophages and T lymphocytes) in Gottingen Minipigs. In parallel, we compared the skin immune populations from healthy and immunocompromised piglets following oral treatment with cyclosporin A (CsA) at 10 mg/kg/day. We also explored other pathological conditions using a contact dermatitis model in minipigs challenged with a sensitizer, 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). Langerhans cells and dermal MHCH(low)CD163(+) cells were increased one month after oral treatment with CsA at 10 mg/kg/day. The contact dermatitis model in Gottingen Minipigs challenged by DNCB suggested migration of Langerhans cells and dermal dendritic cells as well as T cell recruitment into the skin. These data bring new information in skin immunotoxicology in Gottingen Minipigs and could contribute to a better understanding of the effects of new therapeutic drugs on the developing immune system.

Automated summary

The study characterized the main skin immune populations in Gottingen Minipigs for the first time, comparing healthy and immunocompromised piglets after CsA treatment, as well as exploring other pathological conditions using a contact dermatitis model. The results suggested an increase in Langerhans cells and dermal MHCH(low)CD163(+) cells after CsA treatment, and showed potential migration of immune cells in response to the contact dermatitis challenge. This data provides new information on skin immunotoxicology in Gottingen Minipigs and offers insight into the effects of therapeutic drugs on the developing immune system.