Abstract: Equine degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis (DSLD) is a systemic connective tissue disorder first identified in Peruvian Paso horses but afflicting other horse breeds as well. Inappropriate accumulation of proteoglycans in connective tissues, most prominently in tendons and ligaments, leads to progressive and debilitating lameness and pain. It is largely unknown what drives the overproduction of proteoglycans, but our previous studies suggest involvement of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) family, impacting synthesis of proteoglycans. To identify potential players in pathogenesis of DSLD a new approach utilizing next generation sequencing was undertaken. Methods: Next generation sequencing was performed using RNA extracted from skin biopsies of six control Peruvian Pasos and six horses with DSLD (4 Peruvian Pasos and 2 warmbloods). The CuffDiff result sets were validated with algorithms used to run them. This was based on the determined false discovery rates derived from the P values adjusted for multiple testing for any given result. Results: Bioinformatics analysis of transcriptomes revealed differential expression of over 1500 genes, including increased expression of genes for several growth factors (most prominently BMP2, FGF5, CTGF, many members of the EGF family), and mediators of signaling (Fos, Myc, MAPK system), and keratins. Two genes encoding for enzymes involved in synthesis of hyaluronan were also overexpressed. Gene expression was decreased for protein cores of many proteoglycans, several growth factors, most collagens, and many peptides with immune function. Conclusions: The overexpression of BMP2 correlates well with our previous data. However, the decrease in expression of numerous proteoglycans was unexpected. A mutation in a gene of a less characterized proteoglycan and/or glycosyltransferase with subsequent increased production of hyaluronan and/or a proteoglycan(s) undetected in our study could account for the systemic proteoglycan deposition. Decreased collagen gene expression indicates abnormal connective tissue metabolism. The increased expression of keratin genes and FGF5 supports reports of skin abnormalities in DSLD. Underexpression of immune function genes corresponds with lack of inflammation in DSLD tissues. Finally, though the proteoglycan and/or glycosaminoglycan abundant in DSLD has not been identified, we validated our previous data, including overexpression of BMP2, and systemic nature of DSLD due to disturbed metabolism of the extracellular matrix.
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This research article focuses on the investigation of genes involved in Equine Degenerative Suspensory Ligament Desmitis (DSLD) – a serious hoof condition in horses – through the use of next-generation sequencing of skin RNA. The study identified over 1500 genes with different expression levels in affected horses, suggesting a deeper level of complexity in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Methodology
The researchers utilised next-generation sequencing to study the RNA extracted from skin biopsies of 12 horses. Six of these were control Peruvian Pasos while the other six were affected by DSLD.
The team carefully validated the CuffDiff result sets with algorithms used to run them, based on false discovery rates for increased accuracy and reliability of the results.
Results
The team found differential expression in over 1500 genes. This included increased expression of genes for several growth factors (notably BMP2, FGF5, CTGF), numerous members of the EGF family, mediators of signaling (Fos, Myc, MAPK system), and keratins.
They also identified two genes for enzymes involved in hyaluronan synthesis were overexpressed.
On the other hand, gene expression was decreased for protein cores of many proteoglycans, additional growth factors, most collagens, and a number of peptides with immune function.
Conclusions
The overexpression of the BMP2 gene aligns well with the team’s previous data. However, the decrease in the expression of numerous proteoglycans was unexpected.
The authors proposed that a mutation in a less characterized proteoglycan and/or glycosyltransferase could lead to increased production of hyaluronan or a proteoglycan(s) that was undetected in their study.
They also suggested that the decrease in collagen gene expression shows abnormal connective tissue metabolism, which could contribute to the condition.
The enhanced expression of keratin genes with FGF5 may support the incidence of skin abnormalities in DSLD.
The underexpression of immune function genes corresponds with the lack of inflammation commonly found in DSLD tissues, which may play a role in the disease’s development and progression.
In conclusion, while the proteoglycan and/or glycosaminoglycan that appear in high amounts in DSLD have not yet been identified, the study advances our understanding in that it confirms earlier data, including the overexpression of the BMP2 gene, and strengthens the idea that DSLD is a systemic condition resulting from disturbed extracellular matrix metabolism.
Cite This Article
APA
Haythorn A, Young M, Stanton J, Zhang J, Mueller POE, Halper J.
(2020).
Differential gene expression in skin RNA of horses affected with degenerative suspensory ligament desmitis.
J Orthop Surg Res, 15(1), 460.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-020-01994-y
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
Young, Madeline
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
Stanton, James
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
Zhang, Jian
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
Mueller, P O E
Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA.
Halper, Jaroslava
Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. jhalper@uga.edu.
AU/UGA Medical Partnership, The University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA. jhalper@uga.edu.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / metabolism
Collagen / metabolism
Connective Tissue Diseases / complications
Connective Tissue Diseases / genetics
Connective Tissue Diseases / veterinary
Disease Progression
Gene Expression
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing / methods
Horse Diseases / genetics
Horse Diseases / metabolism
Horses
Hyaluronic Acid / metabolism
Lameness, Animal / etiology
Ligaments / metabolism
Pain / etiology
Pain / veterinary
Proteoglycans / metabolism
RNA / genetics
RNA / metabolism
Skin / metabolism
Tendons / metabolism
Conflict of Interest Statement
None of the authors has a competing financial or other conflict of interest in this study. However, Dr. Jaroslava Halper is an associate editor of this journal.
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