Canine oral mucosa evaluation as a potential autograft tissue for the treatment of unresponsive keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Abstract

Purpose Labial mucosa transplantation for the treatment of canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) has been reported recently. Postoperative alleviation of clinical signs was noted and assumed to be the result of labial salivary glands providing lubrication to the ocular tissue. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of minor salivary glands (MSG) in the canine oral mucosa. Methods Oral mucosal biopsies were collected from six dogs that died (n = 1) or were euthanized (n = 5) for reasons unrelated to this study. The breeds included were two Doberman Pinschers, one Labrador Retriever, one Portuguese Water Dog, one German Shepherd Dog, and one mixed canine. Three were spayed females, and three were castrated males with the median age of 9 years (range, 6-13 years). Samples were obtained by an 8-mm punch biopsy at the following locations of the canine oral cavity: upper rostral labial mucosa at midline, lower rostral labial mucosa at midline, upper labial mucosa near the commissure, lower labial mucosa near the commissure, and buccal mucosa approximately 1 cm caudal to the commissure. Samples were routinely processed with hematoxylin and eosin, and periodic acid-Schiff stains. Samples were evaluated by light microscopy. Results At the selected locations, no MSG or other secreting cells were detected. Conclusions Minor salivary glands are not associated with alleviation of canine KCS symptoms following labial mucosa transplantation. Further studies are needed to determine the mechanism leading to the transient improvement of KCS symptoms in canine patients following labial mucosa transplantation.

Labial and buccal minor salivary glands of the dog – location, three‐dimensional arrangement and histology

“…Irritation with iodine was used for visualization of what Castanho et al referred to as “ labial glands ” 20 . Cherry et al 21 were not able to find glandular tissue in punch biopsies from 5 locations of the upper and lower lip and the cheek (upper rostral labial mucosa at midline, lower rostral labial mucosa at midline, upper labial mucosa near the labial commissure, lower labial mucosa near the labial commissure, buccal mucosa approximately 1cm caudal to the commissure) 21 …”

“…However, the presence or absence of MSGs in labial and buccal mucosa is described controversially in recent literature. Cherry et al investigated the oral mucosa in dogs and could not detect MSGs or other secreting cells in the examined locations 21 . Hence, the authors claimed that MSGs could not be associated with alleviation of canine KCS symptoms following labial mucosa transplantation 21 .…”

“…Cherry et al investigated the oral mucosa in dogs and could not detect MSGs or other secreting cells in the examined locations 21 . Hence, the authors claimed that MSGs could not be associated with alleviation of canine KCS symptoms following labial mucosa transplantation 21 . In contrast to these findings, some general anatomy and histology textbooks describe the presence of MSGs in different species including dogs in a variety of locations in the submucosa of the oral cavity 22,23 …”

Surgical treatment of canine and feline descemetoceles, deep and perforated corneal ulcers with autologous buccal mucous membrane grafts

“…The autologous buccal mucosa is an abundant tissue, which is relatively easy to harvest, can be used fresh, and is always available and thus has no need for storage. The buccal mucous membrane has been used in veterinary ophthalmology for eyelid defect reconstruction, 37 , 38 third eyelid replacement 39 or reconstruction, 40 keratoconjunctivitis sicca treatment 41 and in one case of corneal perforation. 42 In the case of deep or penetrating corneal lesions, with or without iris prolapse, an autologous buccal mucosa can be used as a tectonic graft.…”

Avaliação De Parâmetros Hematológicos E Bioquímicos De Equinos Da Raça Crioula

“…A CCS em cães possui diferentes causas, dentre as quais, iatrogênica quando há remoção da glândula da terceira pálpebra ou da glândula lacrimal principal, doenças infecciosas, induzida por fármacos como sulfas, traumas orbitais ou supraorbitais e as imunomediadas, que correspondem a maioria dos casos (CHERRY et al, 2017). Os sinais clínicos variam de acordo com o tempo de surgimento da doença (agudo ou crônico), grau…”