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Abstract
Canine pemphigus foliaceus (PF) is the most common autoimmune skin disease in dogs. Canine PF is characterized by autoantibodies binding to desmocollin (Dsc) 1, an epithelial adhesion molecule, causing subsequent acantholysis. Clinically, PF presents as multifocal to coalescing pustules which quickly erode and turn to crusts. The mechanisms driving pustule formation are currently poorly understood and are limited to a single pilot study. Canine PF diminishes the quality of life for affected pets and their owners due to poor treatment options, unpredictable clinical courses, and adverse effects from long term usage of glucocorticoids. Using a combination of different bioinformatic techniques such as quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), RNA microarray, and RNA sequencing, we characterized the transcriptomic differences between canine PF patients with lesions to healthy dogs. These observations will begin to uncover the mechanisms driving lesion development as well as reveal potential immunologic targets for therapy.