Expression profiles of TWEAK and Fn14 genes in the duodenal and colonic mucosae of dogs with chronic enteropathy

Abstract

Tumor necrosis factor-like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is a cytokine that binds to fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14). The TWEAK/Fn14 pathway promotes intestinal inflammation, induces C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and is upregulated in the intestine of humans with inflammatory bowel disease. However, the role of this pathway in canine chronic enteropathy (CE) remains unclear. Therefore, we measured TWEAK, Fn14, and CXCL10 mRNA levels in the intestinal mucosa of dogs with CE. Real-time PCR analysis revealed significantly lower TWEAK and CXCL10 mRNA levels in the duodenal mucosa of dogs with antibiotic-responsive enteropathy (ARE), a type of CE, compared to healthy dogs. The findings suggested the involvement of decreased TWEAK and CXCL10 mRNA levels in the ARE etiology.