Lymphocyte immunophenotype in dogs with immune-mediated hematologic disease

PMCID: PMC12173396

PMID: 40526723

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326341

Journal: PloS one

Publication Date: 2025-6-17

Authors: Blois SL, Cuq BY, Bienzle D

Key Points

• Dogs with IMHD demonstrated significantly lower proportions of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes compared to healthy controls (p < 0.0001)
• T regulatory cells were reduced in IMHD dogs at diagnosis (0.2% versus 0.6% of total lymphocytes, p = 0.0025)
• The increased proportion of IL-17-producing lymphocytes suggests a potential pro-inflammatory mechanism in immune-mediated diseases

Summary

This prospective study investigated the immunological characteristics of dogs with immune-mediated hematologic diseases (IMHD), including immune-mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA) and immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). By analyzing lymphocyte subsets using flow cytometry, researchers identified significant immune system alterations in affected dogs compared to healthy controls, particularly during the initial days of immunosuppressive treatment.

The study revealed key immunological differences, including significantly lower frequencies of CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes, reduced T regulatory cells, and increased proportions of IL-17-producing lymphocytes in dogs with IMHD. These findings suggest potential mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases, highlighting the complex immunological dysregulation that occurs in these conditions. The research provides novel insights into the immune responses of dogs with IMHD, which could inform future diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.