Osteoarthritis Biomarkers
Biomarkers for spontaneously occurring osteoarthritis
Dr. Kuroki (PI), Dr. Garner (Co-PI) and the COL team are seeking to develop an osteoarthritis biomarker panel with the use of body fluids (blood and synovial fluid) collected from dogs with naturally occurring stifle OA in 2009 (Funded by MU Research Board). The study project is contiguously developed from the recent osteoarthritis biomarker study with canine animal models conducted by Dr. Garner and the COL team during 2007-2008. Development and validation of a noninvasive biomarker panel for osteoarthritis would revolutionize veterinary and human diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventative strategies for osteoarthritis and improve quality of life for millions of pets and people. The following is the outline of the study project.
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Evaluation of a 35kDa protein in synovial fluid, serum and urine of dogs as a potential biomarker for osteoarthritis
Dr. Garner (PI) and the COL team are pursuing the identification of a protein band previously detected in a recent COL study [Venable, et al (AJVR, 2008)]. During that study, a band in the 35kDa region was detected via one dimensional electrophoresis and Western blotting with an anti-hyaluronic acid antibody (see figure below). This was consistently found in osteoarthritic canine synovial fluid (first three lanes) and was poorly defined to absent in normal synovial fluid (labeled as SHAM and Control below).As the protein(s) within the band could represent potential osteoarthritis biomarker(s) with significant clinical impact, identification is being pursued with mass spectroscopy. Concurrent studies include evaluation of canine serum and urine for these proteins. (This work is funded by the University of Missouri Phi Zeta and the COL.)