Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Activin B increased in lungs of West Highland white terriers
By Lilja-Maula, L et al.·Published in Journal of comparative pathology·2015·Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Upregulation of alveolar levels of activin B, but not activin A, in lungs of west highland white terriers with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and diffuse alveolar damage.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of West Highland White Terriers (WHWTs) with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (CIPF), a serious lung disease, showed increased levels of a protein called activin B in their lungs. This condition can lead to severe breathing problems and has a poor prognosis. The study found that activin B was present in the lung fluid of WHWTs experiencing acute exacerbations (sudden worsening of symptoms), but not in healthy dogs. This suggests that activin B could be linked to lung damage in these dogs and might help veterinarians understand the disease better.
People also search for: West Highland White Terrier lung disease · dog breathing problems · idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in dogs · activin B in dogs
Abstract
Activins, cytokines belonging to the transforming growth factor-β superfamily, have an important role in inflammation and fibrosis. Activin A has been suggested to participate in the pathophysiology of human idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but studies on the role of activin B are sparse. Canine IPF (CIPF) is an incurable interstitial lung disease occurring particularly in West Highland white terriers (WHWTs). During the disease course there are acute exacerbations (AEs) and the condition has a poor prognosis. Microscopically, AEs of CIPF are characterized by diffuse alveolar damage, which is also a key feature of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of this study was to study expression of activin A and B in lung tissue of WHWTs with CIPF and WHWTs with CIPF and concurrent AE, and dogs of various breeds with ARDS and to compare these findings with those of healthy WHWTs. In addition, western blot analysis of activin B from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from WHWTs with CIPF and healthy WHWTs was conducted. Activin B, but not activin A, was strongly expressed in the altered alveolar epithelium in the lungs of WHWTs with CIPF as well as in the lungs of dogs with ARDS. Activin B was detected in the BALF of WHWTs with CIPF, most notably in samples from dogs with AE, but activin B was not detected in BALF from healthy WHWTs. These findings suggest that activin B may be part of the pathophysiology of CIPF and might act as a marker of alveolar epithelial damage.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25555634/