ABSTRACT: Pet dogs may provide a useful large-animal model of spontaneously occuring non-Hodgkin lymphoma, but complete molecular characterization is lacking. We used gene expression microarrays to molecularly characterize canine lymphoma, and found similarities between canine B-cell lymphoma and human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. We isolated RNA from pre-treatment biopsies from dogs with B-cell lymphoma and performed gene expression profiling.
Project description:Background: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common acquired heart disease in large- and giant-breed dogs with Doberman Pinschers representing one of the most frequently affected breeds. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs which play important roles in gene regulation. Different miRNA expression patterns have been described for human DCM and might represent potential diagnostic markers. There are no studies to date investigating miRNA expression profiles in canine DCM. Goals: The goals of this study were to screen the miRNAs expression profile of canine serum by using a miRNA microarray platform and to compare the miRNA expression patterns of a group of Doberman Pinschers with DCM and healthy controls. Results: Although total RNA concentrations were very low in canine serum samples, 421 different miRNAs were detectable with sufficient signal intensity on the miRNA microarrays. About 30 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the two groups, but did not reach statistical significance. No significant differences were found using specific miRNA PCR assays. Conclusions: More than 400 miRNAs can be detected in canine serum samples. Changes in expression levels of various miRNAs between healthy and DCM dogs could be detected, but the results did not reach statistical significance most probably due to the small group size. miRNAs are potential new circulating biomarkers in veterinary medicine and should be investigated in larger patient groups and additional canine diseases Blood was drawn from two groups of Doberman Pinschers: 4 healthy dogs and 4 dogs suffering from dilated cardiomyopathy. After clotting, samples were centrifuged and total mRNA was extracted from serum. These 8 serum samples were analyzed and the groups were compared
Project description:Identification of DNA copy number imbalances in 22 spontaneous canine osteosarcoma cases using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) analysis
Project description:In small animals, diarrhoea is a regular presentation, the aetiology of which can be varied, from an isolated self-limiting event to more serious episodes requiring symptomatic and supportive treatment. Chronic diarrhoea, defined as diarrhoea lasting longer than 3 weeks, is a relatively common problem often prompting referral for more detailed investigation. Although the potential cause of chronic diarrhoea includes chronic intestinal parasitism and alimentary neoplasia (specifically lymphoma), the majority of these dogs will be diagnosed with idiopathic canine chronic enteropathy (CCE), previously referred to as idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Of those cases diagnosed with CCE, further subdivision based on response to treatment trials leads to a final diagnosis of antibiotic responsive diarrhoea (ARD), food responsive diarrhoea (FRD) or idiopathic inflammatory bowl disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to compare the proteomes of faeces of dogs with chronic enteropathies and a population of healthy dogs, and furthermore to identifying proteins that might be useful in distinguishing FRD from ARD from IBD.
Project description:Comparison of the gene expression profile in lungs from dogs with spontaneous canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and from control dogs with histologically normal lungs.
Project description:Canine idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF) is a chronic, progressive, interstitial fibrosing lung disease, manifesting as cough, exercise intolerance and ultimately, dyspnea and respiratory failure. It mainly affects West Highland white terriers (WHWTs), lacks curable treatment and has a poor prognosis. Aspiration of gastroesophageal refluxate may play a role in the development of CIPF. In the first part of this study, we completed label-free quantitative proteomic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from CIPF and healthy WHWTs. In the second part, we evaluated potential protein markers of reflux aspiration from canine gastric juice and vomitus and evaluated whether these were present in BALF from the two groups.
Project description:Skeletal muscle, as a large and insulin sensitive tissue, is an important contributor to metabolic homeostasis and energy expenditure. Obese dogs exhibit skeletal muscle insulin resistance, but the causes of these changes are unclear. Thus, we used canine microarrays to analyze gene expression profiles of skeletal muscle tissue collected from obese dogs, after 24 wk of ad libitum feeding. Skeletal muscle tissue samples were collected from 9 intact female beagles (4 yr-old; 4 control; 5 ad libitum) after 24 wk of ad libitum feeding.
Project description:We demonstrated canine influenza virus (H3N2) pathogenicity to dogs using microarray analysis. Many genes related to innate immunity, such as toll-like receptors, immune cells of natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, and interferon, were induced. RNA was extracted from canine influenza virus H3N2-infected dogs. The lung RNA of uninfected dogs was used as a negative control. We compared gene expression levels between infected and uninfected dogs using microarray analysis.
Project description:Patellar luxation is an orthopaedic disorder in which the kneecap moves out of its normal location within the femoral trochlea. It can lead to osteoarthritis, lameness, and pain. In dogs it appears to be a heritable trait with a high incidence in some breeds. The prevalence of patellar luxation in the Dutch Flat-Coated Retriever population is 24%. We have performed a Genome Wide Association Analysis of the condition in this breed.
Project description:Atopic dermatitis is a multifactorial allergic skin disease in humans and dogs. Genetic predisposition, immunologic hyperreactivity, a defective skin barrier and environmental factors play a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze gene expression in the skin of dogs sensitized to house dust mite antigens. Skin biopsies were collected from six sensitized and six non-sensitized Beagle dogs from normal, non-treated skin before and six and 24 hours after challenge using skin patches with allergen or saline as a negative control. Transcriptome analysis was performed by the use of DNA microarrays and expression of selected genes was validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Expression data was compared between groups (unpaired design). After 24 hours 597 differentially expressed genes were detected, 361 with higher and 226 with lower mRNA concentration in allergen treated skin of sensitized dogs compared to their saline-treated skin and compared to the control specimens. Functional annotation clustering, pathway-and co-citation analysis showed, that the genes with increased expression were involved in inflammation, wound healing and immune response. In contrast, genes with decreased expression in sensitized dogs were associated with differentiation and barrier function of the skin. As the sensitized dogs did not show differences in the untreated skin compared to controls, inflammation after allergen patch test probably led to a decrease in the expression of genes important for barrier formation. Our results further confirm the similar pathophysiology of human and canine atopic dermatitis and revealed genes previously not known to be involved in canine atopic dermatitis. 60 canine (dog) skin tissue samples; six sensitized and six non-sensitized Beagle dogs; samples collected before (0h), 6h and 24h after challenge with allergen; samples collected from a skin area treated with saline and from an area treated with allergen
Project description:Inflammatory periodontal disease (periodontitis) is widespread in dogs. This study aimed to evaluate site-specific changes in the canine gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) proteome during the longitudinal progression from very mild gingivitis to mild periodontitis. Periodontitis diagnosis in dogs requires anaesthesia, our ultimate aim was to develop a periodontitis diagnostic that could be applied to samples taken from conscious dogs. The objective of this work was to identify potential biomarkers of periodontal disease progression in the GCF of dogs.