Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is a laboratory technique used to visualize specific antigens in tissue sections of horses through the application of antibodies. This method allows for the detailed examination of the distribution and localization of proteins within equine tissues, providing insights into various physiological and pathological processes. IHC is employed in equine research to study a range of conditions, including infectious diseases, inflammatory responses, and neoplastic disorders. By utilizing specific antibodies that bind to target antigens, researchers can identify cellular and tissue changes, contributing to a better understanding of equine health and disease mechanisms. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the applications, methodologies, and findings of immunohistochemistry in the field of equine research.
Del Piero F.Equine viral arteritis (EVA) can cause prominent economic losses for the equine industry. The purpose of this review is to provide the pathologist some familiarity with the clinical history, lesions, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of EVA. EVA is caused by an arterivirus (equine arteritis virus, EAV), and the vascular system is the principal but not unique viral target. EVA has variable presentations, including interstitial pneumonia, panvasculitis with edema, thrombosis and hemorrhage, lymphoid necrosis, renal tubular necrosis, abortion, and inflammation of male accessory genital glands. EAV anti...
Tan JH, Sasaki F.To determine the effect of age on immunocytochemical staining characteristics of adenohypophyseal cells of Mongolian pony mares and stallions. Methods: 35 Mongolian ponies. Methods: Pituitary glands from 1- to 22-year-old horses of both sexes were collected at a commercial slaughterhouse in China and allocated into 7 groups according to age and sex: prepubertal stallions (n = 5; 1 to 2 years old), young stallions (6; 3 to 7 years old), middle-aged stallions (4; 10 to 12 years old), old stallions (5; 15 to 22 years old), young mares (3; 3 to 7 years old), middle-aged mares (5; 10 to 12 years ol...
Hudson NP, Pearson GT, Mayhew IG.Ileal samples were harvested fresh from euthanized adult horses. The tissues were microdissected to prepare wholemount preparations for immunohistochemistry and for either explant or dissociated culture systems of the enteric nervous system. Explant culture systems were established using whole-mounts of either the submucous plexus or the muscularis externa (including the myenteric plexus). Dissociated cell cultures could only be obtained from the submucous plexus. Culture systems were maintained for up to 5 days. Immunoreactivity for a neuronal marker (Pan-N) and for glial cell markers (GFAP a...
Watson ED, Thomson SR, Howie AF.A steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein has been identified in several species as a probable important rate-limiting step in steroidogenesis. This protein is believed to be responsible for transporting cholesterol from the outer to the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is known that equine chorionic gonadotrophin (eCG) stimulates steroidogenesis in the corpora lutea of early pregnant mares and that eCG also upregulates StAR mRNA in bovine ovaries. In the present study, ovarian tissue from cyclic and early pregnant mares was immunostained to detect the distribution of the StAR protein. W...
Gregory SJ, Brooks J, McNeilly AS, Ingleton PM, Tortonese DJ.An interaction between gonadotroph and lactotroph cells of the pituitary gland has long been recognized in several species. The current study was conducted to investigate whether an association between gonadotrophs and lactotrophs occurs in mares and whether prolactin receptors are expressed within the pituitary gland of this species. The effects of both reproductive state and season on these variables were examined in pituitary glands obtained from sexually active mares in July (breeding season), sexually active mares in November (non-breeding season) and anoestrous mares in November. Pituita...
Galeano R, Germanà A, Abbate F, Calvo D, Naves FJ, Hidaka H, Germanà G, Vega JA.Neurocalcin (NC) is a recently characterized EF-hand calcium-binding protein present in a discrete population of sensory neurons and their peripheral mechanoreceptors, but its presence in peripheral nervous system neurons other than in the rat is still unknown. The present study was designed to investigate the occurrence of NC in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of several mammalian species (horse, buffalo, cow, sheep, pig, dog, and rat), including humans. DRG were fixed, embedded in paraffin, and processed for immunohistochemistry using a polyclonal antibody against NC. The size of the immunorea...
Worster AA, Lillich JD, Cox JH, Rush BR.A 9-year-old pregnant mare was referred for evaluation of a nonhealing wound of 8 weeks' duration on the lateral aspect of the left forelimb. A soft tissue mass encircled the proximal two thirds of the metacarpus; radiography revealed a moderate periosteal reaction affecting metacarpal bone i.v. Histologic and immunohistochemical examinations revealed eosinophilic granulomatous inflammation and Pythium sp in the soft tissues. The mare was treated for 12 days with antimicrobials, medicated wound dressings, debridement, and i.v. administration of sodium iodide; radiography revealed progression o...
Aupperle H, Ozgen SSchoon HA, Schoon D, Hoppen HO, Sieme H, Tannapfel A.The aims of this study were to investigate the steroid hormone receptor expression and the proliferation intensity during the equine endometrial cycle by immunohistological methods, established for routine examination of formalin-fixed, paraplast-embedded specimens. Endometrial biopsy specimens were obtained during one cycle from 7 mares. In comparison with the blood steroid hormone levels the quantity and distribution of oestrogen (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) and the proliferation marker Ki-67 antigen expression were investigated. Rising 17beta-oestradiol concentrations in preoestrus ...
IJzer J, van den Ingh TS.A 15-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare presented with respiratory distress and anorexia. Clinical examination revealed liquothorax and an abdominal mass. At necropsy, an infiltrating tumour was found in the visceral trunk, continuing through the diaphragm into the mediastinum. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and electronmicroscopy showed empty channels lined by atypical endothelial cells, and neoplastic cells in a disorganized pattern, consistent with the diagnosis of a lymphangiosarcoma.
Walters KW, Corbin CJ, Anderson GB, Roser JF, Conley AJ.Estrogen production by the preimplantation equine embryo is presumed to be important in maternal-conceptus communication in the mare. The synthesis of C(18) estrogens from C(19) androgens requires cytochrome P450 aromatase (P450(arom)) in the conceptus, but little information is available on the specific tissue location or potential developmental patterns of expression for the horse. The goal of this research was to localize P450(arom) in the equine conceptus by immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization. Intact blastocyst-stage embryos were collected by nonsurgical flush on Days 12-15 of p...
Rodger FE, Illingworth PJ, Watson ED.Although the mare corpus luteum (CL) is capable of aromatization, the expression of other enzymes involved in estradiol synthesis is not yet clear. This study examined the localization of P450C17 in the mare CL at different stages of its functional development. In ovaries from follicular phase mares P450C17 was localized in the theca cells of ovarian follicles. Following ovulation, no immunostaining for P450C17 was detected in the mature CLs of nonpregnant mares. In pregnant mares, no immunostaining for P450C17 was identified in the corpus luteum prior to secretion of eCG by the feto placental...
Wilkins PA, Marsh PS, Acland H, Del Piero F.Listeria monocytogenes septicemia was diagnosed in a 6-day-old Thoroughbred foal. Primary clinical signs included fever, depression, diarrhea, and respiratory distress. Hematologic abnormalities included leukopenia, neutropenia, degenerative left shift, and hyperfibrinogenemia. Clinical chemistry and blood gas abnormalities included metabolic acidosis, hypoxemia, hypocapnia, hypoglycemia, and hyponatremia. Despite aggressive therapeutic intervention and intensive care, the foal died within 12 hours of admission. A postmortem examination was performed, and the primary gross lesion was bilateral...
Watson ED, Nikolakopoulos E, Gilbert C, Goode J.It has been suggested that oxytocin is involved in sperm transport and motility in domestic animals. Immunoreactive oxytocin was measured in seminal fractions (pre-ejaculatory fluid, seminal plasma, gel and sperm) and in extracts of testis and epididymis from stallions. In addition, sections of gonadal tissue from stallions were immunostained for the presence of oxytocin and its neurophysin. Oxytocin was detected in all of the seminal fractions, being highest in the gel. It was also present in washed, lysed sperm and in extracts from the testis and epididymis. Immunostaining for oxytocin was p...
Lennox TJ, Wilson JH, Hayden DW, Bouljihad M, Sage AM, Walser MM, Manivel JC.A 2.5-year-old female Thoroughbred was examined because of lethargy, anorexia, and weight loss. Analysis of a CBC revealed erythrocytosis and an increase in PCV. Serum biochemical analysis revealed increases in activities of several hepatic enzymes. Ultrasonography revealed hepatomegaly and a heterogeneous appearance of the hepatic parenchyma. The horse did not improve despite supportive care, and it was euthanatized. Necropsy revealed numerous raised white to gray foci in the liver. Histologically, these foci consisted of neoplastic cells that resembled fetal hepatocytes, embryonal-type cells...
Lawler DF, Hopkins J, Watson ED.Recent evidence indicates that the cells of the immune system and their large network of secretory products, or cytokines, play an active role in the ovary throughout the oestrous cycle. In the present study, immune cell populations (T and B lymphocytes, macrophages, granulocytes and eosinophils) and expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II were investigated in corpora lutea from mares in early (days 2-4), mid- (days 7-10) and late (days 12-14) dioestrus, the post-luteolytic phase (days 16-17) and early pregnancy. The number of T lymphocytes within the corpus luteum increa...
Siedek EM, Honnah-Symns N, Fincham SC, Mayall S, Hamblin AS.Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) recognizing equine macrophages are scarce. The present study compared the immunocytochemical staining of various equine tissues (lymphoid tissue, lung, liver, small intestine, skin and blood leucocytes) by an antibody, Ki-M6, which detects CD68 in human macrophages and dendritic cells, and by a new anti-equine mAb, JB10, with staining produced by two previously described anti-equine macrophage mAbs, CZ2.2 and CZ3.3. Ki-M6 was shown to identify equine macrophages, which had a distribution different from those identified by CZ2.2 and CZ3.3. JB10 identified equine mac...
Murray RC, Janicke HC, Henson FM, Goodship A.Processes involved in equine carpal osteochondral injury have not been established. In other species, fibronectin appears important in chondrocyte-matrix interactions, and levels are increased in osteoarthritis. This investigation aimed to (a) describe fibronectin immunoreactivity in the middle carpal joint of 2-year-old Thoroughbreds, (b) determine topographical variations, (c) compare strenuously trained (Group 1) or gently exercised horses (Group 2) and (d) describe sites with early osteoarthritis. Group 1 (n = 6) underwent a 19 week high intensity treadmill training programme. Group 2 (n =...
Rivero JL, Serrano AL.Three different myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms have been identified in the equine gluteus medius muscle: the slow or MHC-I and the 2 fast MHC-IIA and MHC-IIX isoforms. They are distributed in 3 fibre types containing a single MHC (I, IIA, IIX) and 2 hybrid types co-expressing 2 isoforms (I + IIA, IIA + IIX). The aim of this study was to determine if heavy carriage training alters skeletal MHC composition in horses. Fourteen Andalusian mares age 42-46 months were used. Seven horses were used as controls to estimate the effects of growth on muscle. The remaining 7 horses underwent a training ...
Berry S.Hemangiosarcoma in the spinal canal was diagnosed in a 25-year-old stallion showing progressive and symmetrical 4-limb ataxia, proprioceptive deficits, and weakness. On necropsy, an extradural mass consisting of spindle-shaped cells and numerous free erythrocytes was found at the level of C7-T1. Immunohistochemical staining confirmed a neoplasm of endothelial origin.
Gerstenberg C, Allen WR, Stewart F.Placentation involves considerable growth and reorganization of both maternal and fetal tissues. In this investigation, immunohistochemical localization of the proliferation marker Ki-67 antigen was used to monitor cell division during placentation in mares. Endometrial biopsies were obtained from eight mares between day 14 and day 26 of pregnancy and from eight anoestrous mares that had been treated with various combinations of progesterone and oestrogen. Samples of endometrium and fetal membranes were obtained from 19 mares carrying normal horse conceptuses between day 30 and day 250 of gest...
Patterson-Kane JC, Sanchez LC, MacKay RJ, Sundberg JP, Homer BL.A 4-year-old Quarter Horse gelding was presented with a history of weight loss of 6 months duration, along with extensive ventral subcutaneous edema. Clinicopathologic findings included a markedly low serum total protein (2.9 g/dl) and a low packed cell volume (24%). The mucosal surface of the distal jejunum and entire ileum were carpeted with numerous polypoid, papillary, and glandular masses comprised of pseudostratified tall columnar cells and large numbers of interspersed goblet cells. Neoplastic change was diffuse throughout the mucosa of each mass, but abrupt demarcation occurred between...
Miyata H, Sugiura T, Kai M, Hiraga A, Tokuriki M.To determine histochemical and biochemical properties of muscle during adaptation to training on a flat or sloped track. Methods: 22 Thoroughbreds. Methods: Samples were obtained from the middle gluteus muscle before and after training programs were conducted, using a needle-biopsy technique. Training programs consisted of horses running 1,600 m on a flat or sloped track for 16 weeks. Amplitude of middle gluteus muscle activity per burst was calculated. Muscle fiber composition and area were examined on serial cross sections processed by standard histochemical staining procedures (ATPase stain...
Tanaka Y, Nagamine N, Nambo Y, Nagata S, Nagaoka K, Tsunoda N, Taniyama H, Yoshihara T, Oikawa M, Watanabe G, Taya K.In mares, circulating immunoreactive inhibin concentrations increase during the follicular phase and decrease at the start of the LH surge. Thereafter, sharp increases in circulating immunoreactive inhibin concentrations, the 'ovulatory increase', are observed during ovulation. In the present study, the cellular sources and molecular form of ovarian inhibin were investigated to determine the mechanism responsible for this unique ovulatory increase. Three sizes of ovarian follicles (small, 30 mm in diameter) were selected. Inhibin alpha-subunit was localized by immunohistochemistry to the gran...
Taya K, Nagata S, Tsunoda N, Nagamine N, Tanaka Y, Nagaoka K, Taniyama H, Nambo Y, Watanabe G.In this study, clear seasonal changes in the circulating concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin were observed in stallions throughout the year. The highest plasma concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin were observed during the breeding season and the lowest concentrations were observed during the nonbreeding season. There was positive correlation between the circulating concentrations of immunoreactive inhibin, steroid hormones and gonadotrophins. Inhibin alpha subunit positive staining was observed in Sertoli cells and more clearly in Leydig cells. Both cell types also stained positively ...
Watson ED, Buckingham J, Björkstén T, Nikolakopoulos E.The presence of oxytocin in the mare uterus was determined by radioimmunoassay of tissue extracts and uterine lavage fluid, and by immunohistochemistry. Samples were obtained from mares during the oestrous cycle and on day 14 of pregnancy. Immunoreactive oxytocin was detected in extracts of endometrium and myometrium, and in uterine lavage fluid. In tissue sections, the luminal epithelium, the epithelium of the superficial, but not deep, glands, blood vessel walls and myometrium all stained positively for oxytocin, whereas only the luminal epithelium and epithelium of the superficial glands st...
Bailey MT, Christman SA, Wheaton JE, Troedsson MH, O'Brien TD, Ababneh MM, Santschi E.The aim of this study was to examine inhibin production in granulosa-theca cell tumours (GTCT). The experimental aims were: (i) to determine GTCT cell types that produce inhibin alpha- and betaA-subunits; (ii) to determine whether alpha- and betaA-subunit forms differ in GTCT fluid and normal equine follicular fluid (eFF); and (iii) to determine whether dimeric inhibin (alpha betaA) is present in GTCT plasma and tumour fluid. Plasma, tumour fluid and tumour tissue were collected from mares (n=6) with GTCT. Plasma and eFF were collected during the follicular phase from mares (n=4) undergoing no...
Stewart F, Gerstenberg C, Suire S, Allen WR.One of the major progesterone-dependent endometrial proteins in the mare is a novel 19 kDa lipocalin (P19). This protein is secreted by the endometrial glands and is readily detectable in uterine secretions during the luteal phase of the oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. The function of P19 is unknown, but since most lipocalins act as carriers of small hydrophobic molecules, it probably transports a maternal factor to the conceptus during pregnancy. In this study, a high titre antiserum raised against recombinant-derived P19 was used to detect by immunohistochemistry the protein in endometri...
Schoon HA, Wiegandt I, Schoon D, Aupperle H, Bartmann CP.Different types of endometrial maldifferentiation were investigated by histopathological (haematoxylin-eosin (HE), periodic acid Schiff-alcian blue and picro-sirius red staining) and immunohistological (oestrogen and progesterone receptors, Ki-67 antigen, intermediate filaments and laminin) analysis of endometrial biopsy specimens from mares (n=34), most of which had been barren for at least 1 year. Two major features were observed: (i) unequal differentiation, in which two functional stages are visible within a single biopsy sample: areas which are differentiated in accordance with the stage ...
Enders AC, Jones CJ, Lantz KC, Schlafke S, Liu IK.Invasion of trophoblast cells of the chorionic girdle into the endometrium and their subsequent dependence as endometrial cup cells on the maternal vascular system are unique features of equine gestation. This study of exocrine secretion by the endometrial glands and endocrine secretion by the cup cells was initiated to examine the relationships between and the effects of two disparate epithelial cell types sharing the endometrium. Endometrial cups were examined from day 36 to day 83 of gestation by light and electron microscopy, and immunohistochemical and lectin analysis. As the cup cells in...
McKelvie J, Foster AP, Cunningham FM, Hamblin AS.Circulating lymphocyte numbers are elevated in horses with the allergic skin disease sweet itch and skin lesions are typified by an infiltrate of eosinophils and mononuclear cells, the latter of which have not been fully characterised. The aim of the present study was to characterise the lymphocyte subpopulations in the circulation and skin of ponies with sweet itch by flow cytometry and a newly developed modified alkaline phosphatase immunohistochemical technique. Sweet itch ponies were found to have significantly greater numbers of circulating CD5+ and CD4+ T-lymphocytes than normal animals....
Sonea IM, Bowker RM, Robinson NE, Broadstone RV.Distribution of pulmonary nerves immunoreactive for either substance P or calcitonin gene-related peptide was determined, using immunohistochemical methods on healthy lungs from adult equids. The overall patterns of distribution of substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity were similar. Distribution of immunoreactive nerves was not uniform throughout the lungs; nerve fibers immunoreactive for these peptides were more frequently observed near the hilus of the lung than in the caudal lobes or in the periphery of the lung. Nerve fibers immunoreactive for substance P or...
Patan-Zugaj B, Gauff FC, Egerbacher M, Licka TF.OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on type VII collagen- cleaving matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in the lamellar tissue of extracorporeally perfused equine limbs. SAMPLE 10 right forelimbs and 3 left forelimbs collected from 10 adult horses after slaughter at a licensed abattoir. PROCEDURES Extracorporeal perfusion of the isolated equine limbs was performed for 10 hours under physiologic conditions (control-perfused limbs; n = 5) and with the addition of 80 ng of LPS/L of perfusate (LPS-perfused limbs; 5). Lamellar tissue specimens were then collected from the do...
Killisch R, Böttcher D, Theuß T, Edzards H, Martinsson G, Einspanier A, Gottschalk J, Schoon HA.The deep anoestrous phase in winter is part of the anovulatory season in mares and is bordered by the autumn and spring transitional periods (ATP/STP). To define an annual time span for effective prognostic biopsy sampling, the aim of this study was to provide a morphofunctional characterization of the endometrium during ATP and STP. To outline both transitional periods, endometrial specimens were taken in September, October and November (n = 76) as well as February, March and April (n = 184) with the requirement of a detailed clinical documentation. Tissue samples were examined histologic...
Sedacca K, Samuelson D, Lewis P.To investigate the uveoscleral (US) pathway in the normal eyes of four domestic spp.: the cat, pig, cow and horse by examining the comparative anatomical structure of anterior US pathway. Methods: Four cats, ten pigs, four cows, eight horses. Methods: Formalin-preserved specimens from anterior uveas of the cat, pig, cow and horse were embedded and serially sectioned sagittally and tangentially and stained with H&E, Masson's trichrome, smooth muscle actin immunolabel, or elastin stain. Results: Spaces between the endings of the outer anterior ciliary body musculature (CBM) formed avenues fo...
Fintl C, Pearson GT, Mayhew IG, Stewart Lowden C, Hopwood PA, Palgrave CJ, Proudman CJ, Barrie Edwards G, Taylor SE, Hudson NP.Previous immunohistochemical studies targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) have demonstrated an apparent reduction in the number of gastrointestinal pacemaker cells--the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)--in horses with intestinal motility disorders. This study compared the level of transcription of the c-kit gene encoding this receptor in horses with and without such motility disorders. Transcription levels of this gene were also compared to the density of ICC immunohistochemically positive for the c-Kit antigen. Intestinal samples were collected from 18 horses with intestinal diseas...
Kalpokas I, Perdigón F, Rivero R, Talmon M, Sartore I, Viñoles C.Intrauterine infusions have been widely used for the treatment of endometritis in the mare. Nevertheless, their consequences on endocrine and endometrial molecular aspects are unknown. We studied the effect of a 1% povidone-iodine solution intrauterine infusion on progesterone levels, endometrial histology and estrogen (ERα) and progesterone (PR) receptor distribution by immunohistochemistry. Methods: Fourteen healthy mares were used in this study. Estruses were synchronized and seven mares were treated with intrauterine infusions at days 0 and 2 post ovulation of two consecutive estrous cycl...
Reinert M, Calvete JJ, Sanz L, Töpfer-Petersen E.SSP-7 is a protein originally isolated from stallion seminal plasma. It has extensive amino acid sequence homology with boar spermadhesin AWN, and, like its porcine counterpart, SSP-7 displays zona pellucida-binding activity. Strikingly, however, immunohistochemical studies presented here show that the stallion and the boar spermadhesin homologues are secreted at different places of the male genital tract. Furthermore, indirect immunofluorescence shows that the topography of SSP-7 on the surface of stallion spermatozoa is restricted to the equatorial segment, whereas boar AWN epitopes cover th...
Mykkänen AK, Niku M, Ilves M, Koho NM.To characterize the expression of monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) 1 and 4 and the ancillary protein CD147 in the intestinal tract of healthy equids and determine the cellular location of CD147 in the intestinal epithelium. Methods: 12 healthy horses and ponies slaughtered for meat production or euthanized for reasons unrelated to gastrointestinal tract disease. Methods: The entire gastrointestinal tract was removed from each equid within 45 minutes after slaughter or euthanasia. Tissue samples were obtained from the antimesenteric side of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, middle part of the ce...
Mair TS, Stokes CR, Bourne FJ.An indirect immunoperoxidase technique was used to demonstrate both free immunoglobulin and immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells of IgG, IgA, and IgM classes in the mucosa of the equine respiratory tract. IgA-producing plasma cells predominated in the upper airways, whereas IgG-producing cells predominated in the lower respiratory tract. IgM-secreting cells were uncommon, but present in their highest numbers in the nasopharynx. Plasma cells specific for all of the immunoglobulin classes were identified in the surface epithelium, lamina propria connective tissue, glandular tissue and organise...
Sanz MG, Sellon DC, Potter KA.A 25-year-old Appaloosa gelding was evaluated for chronic weight loss and diarrhea. A clinical diagnosis of protein loosing enteropathy was made and the gelding was euthanized. Histology revealed neoplastic lymphocytes infiltrating the mucosa of the small and large intestine. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD3, consistent with epitheliotropic T-cell lymphoma. Lymphome T intestinal épithéliotrope primaire comme cause de diarrhée chez un cheval. Un hongre appaloosa âgé de 25 ans a été évalué pour perte de poids et diarrhée chronique. Un diagnostic clinique d’entéropathie avec...
Dubuc V, Laverty S, Richard H, Doré M, Theoret C.There is a growing interest in the scientific community to use computer-based software programs for the quantification of cells during physiological and pathophysiological processes. Drawbacks of computer-based methods currently used to quantify immunohistochemical staining are the complexity of use, expense of software and overly-simplified descriptions of protocol thereby limiting reproducibility. The precise role of mast cells in equine cutaneous wound healing is unknown. Given the contribution of mast cells to the chronic inflammation observed in human keloid, a pathology similar to exuber...
Pazinato FM, Curcio BDR, Varela Junior AS, Corcini CD, Wendt CG, Moreira F, Schmit RA, Nogueira CEW.Placental tissues from humans, rodents, and farm animal contain leptin and its receptor. Expression of leptin has already been described in horses, although there is no description about immunolocalization of leptin and its receptor. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence and distribution of leptin and ObR-b in the equine placenta at term by immunofluorescence staining, and the changes on plasma leptin concentrations during late gestation. The present study involved eight Criollo-type mares carrying healthy pregnancies. Blood samples were collected during the third trimes...
Kato Y, Sayama Y, Sano M, Kaneko MK.Podoplanin (PDPN), which is a mucin-type membrane glycoprotein, is expressed on lymphatic endothelial cells and epithelial cells of many organs. PDPN is also overexpressed in several malignant cancers, and its expression is associated with cancer progression and poor prognosis. Human PDPN possesses three platelet aggregation-stimulating (PLAG) domains and the PLAG-like domain (PLD), which binds to C-type lectin-like receptor-2 (CLEC-2). Previously, we reported a novel antihorse PDPN (horPDPN) monoclonal antibody (mAb), PMab-219, using Cell-Based Immunization and Screening (CBIS) method. PMab-2...
Pinzón-Osorio CA, Meneses-Martínez H, Botero-Espinosa L, Herrera-Luna CV.A 10 year-old endurance Arabian mare was presented with an invasive, firm, multilobulated mass at the left ventral face of the tongue. The mare had a history of four months of ptyalism, dysphagia, severe halitosis, and dysmastication. The Evaluation of the horse included physical and oral examination, complete blood count and serum biochemistry profile, computed tomography evaluation of the head, and histopathology of the mass. The computerized tomography (CT) head scan showed the homogeneous mass in the oral cavity confirming the degree of invasion on the tongue, as well as a small mineral fo...
Kurotaki T, Narayama K, Oyamada T, Yoshikawa H, Yoshikawa T.An immunohistochemical study was carried out on the kinetics of Langerhans cells (LCs) at various pathological stages of "Kasen". Skin lesions of "Kasen" that were collected by biopsy from May to October were classified histopathologically into three stages: initial (Group I, 31 cases), developing (Group II, 50 cases) and regressing (Group III, 13 cases). LCs showed a positive reaction with anti-equine thymocytes (EqT6) monoclonal antibody (MoAb) and anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II MoAb by immunohistochemical staining. The anti-EqT6 MoAb was intensely positive along the cy...
Parillo F, Mancuso R, Vullo C, Catone G.This work was undertaken to determine the glycoconjugates secreted by the epithelium of the prostate in the intact stallion and castrated horse using lectin histochemical procedures in conjunction with enzymatic digestion and deglycosylation treatments. Additionally, anti-5 and 13-16-cytokeratin antibodies were used to localize epithelial basal cells. In the stallion, lectin histochemistry showed the following sugar residues in the Golgi zone of the glandular cells: α-Glu/Man, α-Fuc and β-Gal included in both O- and N-linked oligosaccharides as well as β-GalNAc, GlcNAc and α-Gal, which be...
Valentine BA, Flint TH, Fischer KA.Serial sections of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded muscle biopsy specimens from 28 Quarter Horse, Paint, and draft-related breeds, aged 0.5-23 years, were treated with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stain for glycogen and were immunostained to detect ubiquitin expression. On the basis of findings in PAS-stained sections, a diagnosis of equine polysaccharide storage myopathy (EPSSM) was made in 22 horses aged 2-23 years (mean, 9.4 years); samples from 6 horses aged 0.5-15 years (mean, 7.3 years) had a normal PAS staining pattern, with no relevant lesions. Ubiquitin expression was detected in all ...
Bastos HB, Kretzmann NA, Santos GO, Esmeraldino AT, Rechsteiner SF, Mattos RC, Neves AP.The period from the emergence of a dominant follicle until its formation requires tissue remodeling. Enzymes promoting collagen lysis, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), are fundamental for the process of extracellular matrix remodeling, which allows changes in ovarian tissue architecture during follicular growth. It has been suggested that the production of these enzymes may be affected by the rise in circulating concentrations of LH, which acts on the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The aim of this study was to determine the expression of MMP-1, MMP-2, and LH receptor (LHR) in the o...
Strazzullo M, Corteggio A, Altamura G, Francioso R, Roperto F, D'Esposito M, Borzacchiello G.Sarcoids are peculiar equine benign tumours. Their onset is associated with Bovine Papillomavirus type -1 or -2 (BPV-1/2) infection. Little is known about the molecular interplay between viral infection and neoplastic transformation. The data regarding papillomavirus infections in human species show the inactivation of a number of tumour suppressor genes as basic mechanism of transformation. In this study the putative role of the tumour suppressor gene Fragile Histidine Triad (FHIT) in sarcoid tumour was investigated in different experimental models. The expression of the oncosuppressor protei...
Döpke C, Gröne A, von Borstel M, von Oppen T, Boéve MH, Baumgärtner W.A 17-year-old horse developed severe proptosis of the left eye over a period of 1.5 years. At post-mortem examination a neoplasm was found involving the left ethmoid bone, left maxillary sinus, left orbit, left superior turbinate, and the left eye. Tumour cells were arranged in nests separated by a fine fibrovascular stroma. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells were labelled by antibodies against neurofilament protein, synaptophysin, glial fibrillary acidic protein and S-100 protein antigen, but were negative for chromogranin A, cytokeratin and desmin. Electronmicroscopically, the cells sho...
Brito LF, Engiles JB, Turner RM, Getman LM, Ebling A.An 18-year-old Friesian stallion was examined approximately one week after reportedly presenting scrotal swelling due to torsion of the spermatic cords. Upon presentation no scrotal swelling was noted, the testes were normally oriented, and no abnormalities of the spermatic cords were noted. However, both testes were smaller than expected for a mature stallion and deep palpation revealed that the consistency of the testes was nodular. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the testes revealed diffuse heterogeneous parenchyma with multiple hypoechoic nodular areas. Grossly, the testicular parenchyma wa...
Hopper N, Singer E, Henson F.The exact aetiology and pathogenesis of microdamage-induced long bone fractures remain unknown. These fractures are likely to be the result of inadequate bone remodelling in response to damage. This study aims to identify an association of osteocyte apoptosis, the presence of osteocytic osteolysis, and any alterations in sclerostin expression with a fracture of the third metacarpal (Mc-III) bone of Thoroughbred racehorses. Methods: A total of 30 Mc-III bones were obtained; ten bones were fractured during racing, ten were from the contralateral limb, and ten were from control horses. Each Mc-II...
Sellon DC, Cullen JM, Whetter LE, Gebhard DH, Coggins L, Fuller FJ.An IgG1 mouse monoclonal antibody, designated 1.646, is described which recognizes a cytoplasmic antigen of equine mononuclear phagocytes. Indirect fluorescent antibody staining of peripheral blood leukocytes reveals a granular cytoplasmic staining, predominantly in adherent blood mononuclear cells. Indirect fluorescent antibody staining is positive for alveolar and peritoneal macrophages. In some horses, a few neutrophils are also stained. In equine tissue samples stained by immunohistochemistry, the distribution of positive cells is consistent with the distribution of tissue macrophages. The...
Corcoran BM, Mayhew IG, Hahn CN, Prince DR.To determine the distribution of nerve fibers containing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and intermediate neurofilaments in nasal mucosa of horses. Methods: 6 horses without evidence of nasal disease. Methods: Full-thickness nasal tissue specimens were obtained from the rostral portion of the nasal septum at necropsy, and fluorescence immunohistochemistry was performed to assess mucosal distribution of nerve fibers. Results: Nerve fibers with CGRP-like immunoreactivity (CGRP-Li) formed a dense subepithelial network, and a large num...
Bush JM, Powers BE.In horses, giant-cell tumors of soft parts are rare neoplasms, with the majority of reported cases occurring within the hind limb muscles and soft tissues in older horses. The following article documents 21 cases of equine giant-cell tumors of soft parts clinically examined within the state of Colorado from 2000 to 2007. The majority of cases occurred in male horses aged 10 years or older. Nine (43%) arose within the hind limbs. Key histologic features included numerous multinucleated giant cells and hemosiderin-laden macrophages admixed with a spindle-cell proliferation. The majority demonstr...
Sokołowska J, Cywińska A, Puchalska M.The number, morphology, and distribution of C thyrocytes within the thyroid gland vary among species; however, studies in domestic animals are limited. In this study we compared the morphology, distribution pattern, and percentage of C thyrocytes in four domestic species: dogs, pigs, horses, and cattle. Eighty thyroid glands, 20 per species, were examined. C thyrocytes were visualized immunohistochemically with anti-calcitonin rabbit polyclonal antibody alone and combined with the periodic acid Schiff method to simultaneously visualize C thyrocytes with the basement membranes of thyroid follic...
Chun J, Kang T, Seo JP, Jeong H, Kim M, Kim BS, Ahn M, Kim J, Shin T.Vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a tubular pheromone sensing organ in which the lumen is covered with sensory and non-sensory epithelia. This study used immunohistochemistry and lectin histochemistry techniques to evaluate developmental changes, specifically of the glycoconjugate profile, in the horse VNO epithelium. Immunostaining analysis revealed PGP9.5 expression in some vomeronasal non-sensory epithelium (VNSE) cells and in the vomeronasal receptor cells of the vomeronasal sensory epithelium (VSE) in fetuses, young foals, and adult horses. OMP expression was exclusively localized in receptor ce...
Dhakal P, Tsunoda N, Nambo Y, Taniyama H, Nagaoka K, Watanabe G, Taya K.Although equine gestation is unique from the standpoint of fetal gonadal enlargement and regression, the activator of this process is still unknown. The present study aimed to show a possible role of activin during equine gestation. In the first experiment, weekly plasma samples from six pregnant mares were used to measure activin A. In the second experiment, eight pregnant mares carrying female (gestational days 110, 140, 180, and 270) and male fetuses (gestational days 120, 180, 225, and 314) were used for immunohistochemistry of activin receptors (IA, IB, IIA, IIB), and their intracellular ...
Thougaard AV, Jaliashvili I, Christiansen M.The glycoprotein tetranectin (TN) found in human serum is a 90-kDa homotrimeric C-type lectin binding Ca2+, heparin and plasminogen kringle 4. TN is suggested as being implicated in tissue remodelling. The antigenic reactivity of putative TN was examined in serum from 14 different animal species using three sandwich enzyme immunoassays for human TN. Crab-eating macaque serum showed the strongest reaction, followed by horse and cat. Serum from cow, goat, pig, mouse and chicken reacted weakly, while dog, trout, and the amphibian and the reptile species did not react. The TN-like protein from mac...
