Distinct Molecular Profiles Underpin Mild-To-Moderate Equine Asthma Cytological Profiles.
Abstract: A state-of-the-art multi-omics approach was applied to improve our understanding of the aetio-pathogenesis of a highly prevalent, performance-limiting disorder of racehorses: mild-to-moderate equine asthma (MMEA). This is a prerequisite to improving prophylactic, management, and therapeutic options for this condition. Although a number of risk factors have been identified, options for intervention are limited. This study applied a multi-omic approach to reveal key inflammatory pathways involved in inflammatory cell recruitment to the lower airways and highlight distinct MMEA inflammatory profiles. We compared bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell gene and protein expression data from horses with non-inflammatory BALF cytology with those isolated from horses with neutrophilic, mastocytic, mixed neutrophilic/mastocytic, and eosinophilic/mastocytic inflammation. The analyses on transcriptomic/proteomic data derived from BALF from horses with neutrophilic cytology showed enrichment in classical inflammatory pathways, and horses with mastocytic inflammation showed enrichment in pathways involved in hypersensitivity reactions related to nonclassical inflammation potentially mimicking a Th2-immune response. The mixed eosinophilic/mastocytic group also presented with a nonclassical inflammatory profile, whereas the mixed neutrophilic/mastocytic group revealed profiles consistent with both neutrophilic inflammation and hypersensitivity. Our adopted multi-omics approach provided a holistic assessment of the immunological status of the lower airways associated with the different cytological profiles of equine asthma.
Publication Date: 2024-11-20 PubMed ID: 39594673PubMed Central: PMC11593015DOI: 10.3390/cells13221926Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research focuses on identifying the molecular profiles connected to mild-to-moderate equine asthma (MMEA) – a common disorder in racehorses using a combined approach of genomics and proteomics. The study found different types of inflammatory pathways associated with various types of airway inflammation, which may lead to new methods to prevent, manage, and treat this condition.
Objective of the Research
- The primary objective of the research was to enhance our comprehension of the underlying causes and pathogenesis of mild-to-moderate equine asthma (MMEA), a commonly occurring disorder impacting the performance of racehorses.
- Such understanding is essential to develop better preventive measures, management practices, and therapeutic treatments for this condition.
- Despite several identified risk factors, intervention options have been insufficient, necessitating a refined research approach.
Methodology
- The methodology involved a multi-omic strategy, integrating genomics and proteomics, aiming to reveal key inflammatory pathways responsible for immune cell recruitment into the lower respiratory tract.
- This study, comparatively analyzing bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cell gene and protein expression data, sought to identify distinct inflammatory profiles for MMEA.
- The study compared horses with non-inflammatory BALF cytology with those exhibiting different types of inflammation, ranging from neutrophilic, mastocytic, mixed neutrophilic/mastocytic, and eosinophilic/mastocytic inflammation.
Findings
- The analysis of transcriptomic/proteomic data derived from horses with neutrophilic cytology showed an enrichment in classical inflammatory pathways.
- On the other hand, horses with mastocytic inflammation displayed an enrichment in pathways involved in hypersensitivity reactions associated with non-classical inflammation, potentially mimicking a Th2-immune response.
- The mixed eosinophilic/mastocytic group also showed a non-classical inflammatory profile, while the mixed neutrophilic/mastocytic group revealed profiles consistent with both neutrophilic inflammation and hypersensitivity.
Conclusion
- The multi-omics approach used in the research provided a comprehensive evaluation of the immunological status of the lower airways associated with the different cytological profiles of equine asthma.
- This holistic approach has enhanced our understanding of MMEA by revealing distinct inflammatory profiles. These findings may potentially lead to more effective methods for prevention, management, and treatment of the condition.
Cite This Article
APA
Karagianni AE, Richard EA, Toquet MP, Hue ES, Courouce-Malblanc A, McGorum B, Kurian D, Aguilar J, Mazeri S, Wishart TM, Pirie RS.
(2024).
Distinct Molecular Profiles Underpin Mild-To-Moderate Equine Asthma Cytological Profiles.
Cells, 13(22), 1926.
https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13221926 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, VSM Building, University of Surrey, Daphne Jackson Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7AL, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Université de Caen Normandie, BIOTARGEN UR7450, Normandie Univ, 14000 Caen, France.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Université de Caen Normandie, BIOTARGEN UR7450, Normandie Univ, 14000 Caen, France.
- LABÉO, 14280 Saint-Contest, France.
- Université de Caen Normandie, BIOTARGEN UR7450, Normandie Univ, 14000 Caen, France.
- Centre International de Santé du Cheval d'Oniris (CISCO), Route de Gachet, 44307 Nantes, France.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
- Centre for Systems Health and Integrated Metabolic Research, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4GG, UK.
- The Roslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9PS, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Horses
- Animals
- Asthma / pathology
- Asthma / genetics
- Asthma / immunology
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Neutrophils / metabolism
- Neutrophils / immunology
- Mast Cells / metabolism
- Mast Cells / pathology
- Transcriptome / genetics
- Proteomics / methods
- Inflammation / pathology
- Eosinophils / metabolism
- Eosinophils / pathology
- Gene Expression Profiling
Grant Funding
- R45502/3138 / Horserace Betting Levy Board
- RB1005/ 338DCD / Hong Kong Jockey Club
- BBS/E/D/10002071 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
Conflict of Interest Statement
None of the co-authors have any conflict of interest.
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