Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
MicroRNA in dog blood linked to heart failure from mitral valve
By Vicky K. Yang et al.·Published in Journal of Extracellular Vesicles·2017·Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, US·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Circulating exosome microRNA associated with heart failure secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease in a naturally occurring canine model
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with heart problems related to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) were studied to understand changes in tiny particles called exosomes that carry RNA. Researchers found that certain types of RNA in these exosomes were significantly higher in dogs with heart failure due to MMVD compared to healthy dogs. This suggests that measuring these exosomal RNAs could help identify dogs at risk for worsening heart disease. While there are currently no treatments to slow down MMVD, understanding these changes may lead to new therapies in the future.
People also search for: dog heart failure symptoms · myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs · treatment for dog heart problems
Abstract
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is functionally and histologically identical to mitral valve prolapse (MVP) in humans. Currently, there are no medical treatments that can delay the progression of this valvular disease or associated cardiac remodelling. Therefore, there is a need to understand the molecular pathology associated with MMVD and MVP better, and thus identify potential therapeutic targets. Circulating exosomes contain small RNA, including miRNA, which reflect cell physiology and pathology. This study explored the association between circulating exosomal miRNA (ex-miRNA) content and MMVD, heart failure due to MMVD (MMVD-CHF) and ageing, which is strongly associated with MMVD. Ex-miRNA was isolated from old normal/healthy dogs (n = 6), young normal dogs (n = 7), dogs with MMVD (n = 7) and dogs with MMVD-CHF (n = 7). Separately, total plasma miRNA was isolated from normal dogs (n = 8), dogs with MMVD (n = 8) and dogs with MMVD-CHF (n = 11). Using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, exosomal miR-181c (p = 0.003) and miR-495 (p = 0.0001) significantly increased in dogs with MMVD-CHF compared to the other three groups. Exosomal miR-9 (p = 0.002) increased in dogs with MMVD and MMVD-CHF compared to age-matched (old) normal dogs. Exosomal miR-599 (p = 0.002) decreased in dogs with MMVD compared to old normal dogs. In total plasma, 58 miRNA were deemed significantly different (p < 0.04) between normal dogs, dogs with MMVD and dogs with MMVD-CHF. However, in contrast to ex-miRNA, none of the miRNA in total plasma remained statistically significant if the false discovery rate was <15%. Changes in ex-miRNA are observed in dogs as they age (miR-9, miR-495 and miR-599), develop MMVD (miR-9 and miR-599) and progress from MMVD to CHF (miR-181c and miR-495). Ex-miRNA expression-level changes appear to be more specific to disease states than total plasma miRNA. RESPONSIBLE EDITOR Elena Aikawa, Harvard Medical School, USA
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.1080/20013078.2017.1350088