Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
New blood markers found for diagnosing and tracking dog gut
By Doulidis, Pavlos G et al.·Published in Scientific reports·2025·Department for Companion Animals and Horses·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Properdin, transcortin and HGFAC are novel plasma biomarkers in canine chronic inflammatory enteropathies from active disease to remission.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with chronic gastrointestinal issues, known as chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CCIE), were studied to find new ways to diagnose and monitor their condition. Researchers discovered that a protein called properdin was significantly higher in dogs during active disease, indicating ongoing intestinal inflammation. Even when the dogs showed improvement, properdin levels remained elevated, suggesting some inflammation persisted. Another protein, HGFAC, was linked to a lower risk of CCIE and could be a potential treatment target. These findings could help veterinarians better manage and track the health of dogs with CCIE.
People also search for: dog chronic diarrhea treatment · dog inflammatory bowel disease symptoms · properdin levels in dogs
Abstract
Canine chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CCIE) is a group of intestinal inflammatory conditions causing chronic or relapsing gastrointestinal symptoms. Accurate diagnosis, treatment and monitoring remain challenging, necessitating novel diagnostic tools. This study aims to investigate the plasma proteome of ten dogs with histologically confirmed CCIE during active disease and clinical remission compared to ten healthy controls. We utilized surplus lithium-heparin plasma and performed label-free quantification mass spectrometry. A significant upregulation of complement factor properdin (CFP) during disease was noted, pointing toward microbial-driven intestinal inflammation. During remission, CFP levels remained elevated compared to controls, indicating persistent subclinical inflammation. We report hepatocyte growth factor activator (HGFAC) as a novel canine plasma protein associated with decreased risk for CCIE and as a potential therapeutic target, similarly, as reported in humans. Linear regression analysis revealed that disease severity was negatively correlated to transcortin/SERPINA6, as negative acute phase protein. Proteins involved in inflammation and tissue repair, such as inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4, (ITIH4), and anti-inflammatory molecules like apolipoprotein A-IV (APOA4), were significantly upregulated in remission. Conversely, proteins related to DNA remodeling and methylation, including histone H2B and carboxypeptidase N subunit 2 (CPN2), were downregulated during remission. Gene ontology analysis revealed altered pathways linked to immune response and coagulation. In CCIE patients we identified for the first time markers such as properdin for intestinal inflammation, while transcortin and HGFAC may serve as markers for remission. Future studies with larger cohorts are needed to validate the use of these proteins for monitoring disease progression and remission and refine their clinical applicability.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40659816/