Cell specific microvesicles vary with season and disease predisposition in healthy and previously laminitic ponies.

This study focuses on how tiny vesicles, dubbed ‘microvesicles,’ found in bodily fluids function as normal inter-cellular communication tools but can also act as markers for disease. The researchers used ponies to investigate the potential relevance of microvesicles to the disease, laminitis, especially given changes in their numbers and origin across seasons and depending on whether the animals were predisposed to health issues.

Understanding Microvesicles

• The study revolves around understanding the function and importance of microvesicles. Microvesicles are small vesicles, up to 1 μm in size, generally found in plasma and other bodily fluids.
• Microvesicles have a crucial role in inter-cellular communication within the body, acting as means to transport proteins, lipids, and RNA from one cell to another. This communication is integral to normal bodily functions.
• Beyond their function in normal cell communication, changes in the number of microvesicles can also serve as biomarkers, aiding in the detection and diagnosis of diseases.

Correlation with Laminitis in Ponies

• The researchers chose to focus on the possible connection between microvesicles and the disease, laminitis, which affects horses and ponies. Laminitis is inflammation of the sensitive layers of tissue (laminae) inside the horse’s hoof. Severe cases can cause extreme pain and lead to euthanasia.
• This correlation was examined by identifying equine cell-specific microvesicles using a panel of cross-reactive antibodies and flow cytometry. These methods were able to detect microvesicles originating from platelets, leucocytes, and endothelial cells within the plasma of healthy ponies and those predisposed to laminitis.

Findings and Implications

• The results showed significant variations in the total number and proportion of microvesicles based on their cellular origin across different seasons. It was noted that non-laminitic ponies had a higher count of endothelial microvesicles positive for annexin V compared to the ponies that had previously suffered from laminitis.
• This development and the use of the antibody panel for measuring microvesicles in horses is a pioneering move for the investigation of these structures in the health and disease of horses.
• This could potentially pave the way for new methods of predicting, diagnosing, and treating diseases like laminitis in equine health.