Project description:The intent of the experiment was to identify genes that were differentially expressed between dogs affected with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and breed-matched controls. Anterior cruciate ligament and knee synovial tissue biopsies were collected from 4 ACL rupture affected cases and 4 unaffected control dogs. Cases and controls were matched as closely as possible based on breed, sex, neutered status, age, and weight. Medications that the dogs were taking at the time of sample collection were also considered. We prioritized sample size and quality above all other variables, therefore, two matched pairs of Golden Retrievers were chosen with two matched pairs of Labrador Retrievers for this analysis. Tissues from cases were collected during knee stabilization surgery. Tissues from unaffected control dogs were collected from dogs undergoing pelvic limb amputation or euthanasia for reasons unrelated to this study. Illumina TruSeq RNA libraries were constructed and 150bp paired-end sequencing was performed using the Illumina Hi-Seq 2500 platform. Table 1. Breed, sex, age, and weight of matched case and control pairs chosen for RNA sequencing analysis Cases Matched Controls Breed Sex Age (yr) Weight (kg) Breed Sex Age (yr) Weight (kg) GR1 CM 8.8 30.5 GR2 CM 14.9 N/A GR3 CM 5.6 44.0 GR4 CM 3.9 34.0 LR1 CM 9.7 36.0 LR2 CM 12.7 28.5 LR3 CM 13.3 36.0 LR4 CM 13.5 35.0 GR = Golden Retriever. LR = Labrador Retriever. CM= castrated male. Weight at the time of death was not available for one dog.
Project description:Allele frequency analysis reveals that the breed is enhanced for genes controlling traits associated with the poodle-type coat, which are perceived to have an association with hypoallergenicity, with no strong signatures of selection for Labrador retriever (LAB) traits. This study provides a blueprint for understanding how dog breeds are formed, highlighting the limited scope of trait selection in defining seemingly new breeds.
Project description:This study describes the discovery of the gene responsible for differentiation of stem cells into ligament tissue. This important finding may lead to the development of treatments for gonarthrosis, rupture of the cruciate ligament and periodontal ligament, and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.
Project description:The hamstring tendon is used as autograft in surgical reconstruction of tears of the anterior cruciate ligament. The rate of re-rupture after surgery is higher in younger patients. The aim of the study was to identify molecular mechanisms that underlie the greater susceptibility of tendon from younger people to tear.
Project description:Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease, affecting over 300 million people world-wide. Accumulating evidence attests to the important roles of immune system in OA pathogenesis. Understanding the role of various immune cells in joint degeneration or joint repair after injury is helpful for improving therapeutic strategies for treating OA. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) develops in ~50% of individuals who have experienced an articular trauma like an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Here, using highly sensitive single-cell RNA sequencing technology, we delineated the temporal dynamics of immune cell accumulation in the mouse knee joint after ACL rupture.
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:Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease with sex-dependent prevalence and severity in both human and animal models. We sought to elucidate sex differences in synovitis, mechanical sensitization, structural damage, bone remodeling, and the synovial transcriptome in the anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACLR) mouse model of post-traumatic OA (PTOA).
