Identification of differential pattern of protein expression in canine osteoarthritis serum after anterior cruciate ligament transection: A proteomic analysis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) management remains a great challenge and there is considerable effort to understand its pathophysiology and to identify new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Canine OA surgically induced by the transection of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACLT) is a widely used and relevant model. This study reports a proteome mapping of dog serum and an analysis of the differentially expressed proteins between before and after ACLT. In the first part of the study, 261 picked protein spots were identified from preparative 2D gels and 71 different proteins were identified among the 261 spots present on the reference map. Canine serum proteome mapping reveals the presence of proteins of interest, such as fetuin B, complement C3 and C1s and pregnancy zone protein. The comparison between serum from dogs before and after ACLT reveals the differential expression of several proteins that could play a key role in the pathogenesis of OA.A number of proteins, such as fetuin B and complement C3, were increased in dog OA serum whereas others, such as hyaluronan binding protein 2, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor H4 (ITIH4), complement C1s and C4 and haptoglobin were decreased. Some of these proteins could be candidate biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment evaluation. The results of the study also reinforced the similarities between dog experimental OA and human cases of OA.