Increased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentrations in equine digital flexor tendon sheath synovial fluid predicts intrathecal tendon damage.
Abstract: To evaluate digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) synovial fluid cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentrations as a molecular marker for intrathecal pathology. Methods: Case control study. Methods: Horses (n=46) with DFTS tenosynovitis; 23 fresh cadaver horses. Methods: DFTS synovial fluid samples were collected from clinical cases with noninfected DFTS tenosynovitis and from control DFTS. Clinical and surgical findings were recorded, and dissection of control limbs was performed to confirm the DFTS to be grossly normal. Synovial fluid COMP was quantified using a homologous competitive inhibition ELISA. Results: Abnormalities were identified tenoscopically: intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing was identified in 37 cases and 9 had other lesions. In control horses, synovial fluid COMP was higher in younger horses. Clinical cases with intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing had higher synovial fluid COMP than either clinical cases with other lesions, or controls. In horses ≥5 years old, the sensitivity and specificity of the assay was high for diagnosing intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing. Conclusions: COMP concentrations in DFTS synovial fluid were significantly greater than those in normal horses with noninfected tenosynovitis caused by intrathecal tendon/ligament tearing, but not by other lesions.
© Copyright 2010 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Publication Date: 2010-11-15 PubMed ID: 21077920DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00751.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Biomarkers
- Cartilage
- Case Reports
- Clinical Findings
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Study
- Diagnosis
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Treatment
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Injury
- Ligaments
- Synovial Fluid
- Tendons
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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This research paper investigates the use of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) levels in equine tendon sheath synovial fluid as a molecular marker for tendon damage. It found that high COMP concentrations predicted intrathecal tendon damage, meaning this could potentially be used as a diagnostic tool for equine tendon injuries.
Research Methods
- The researchers used a method known as a case-control study, comparing 46 horses with digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) tenosynovitis to 23 fresh cadaver horses as controls.
- Synovial fluid samples were collected from both clinical cases with noninfected DFTS tenosynovitis and the control horses. The health of the DFTS was checked through physical examination or post-mortem dissection in the control horses, to confirm they were normal.
- The protein COMP was quantified within this fluid using a homologous competitive inhibition ELISA, a type of immunoassay that’s sensitive and specific for the detection of specific proteins.
Key Findings
- Through these methods, the researchers identified a number of abnormalities. Most notably, intrathecal tendon or ligament tearing was discovered in 37 cases.
- In younger control horses, synovial fluid COMP was found to be higher. However, clinical cases with intrathecal tendon or ligament tearing had even higher synovial fluid COMP concentrations, compared to both other cases with different lesions and the controls.
- Sensitivity and specificity of the assay used to quantify COMP were high in horses that were over five years old, making it effective for diagnosing tearing injuries within this age bracket.
Concluding Statement
- Overall, the study found that COMP concentrations in DFTS synovial fluid were notably higher in horses with non-infected tenosynovitis caused by intrathecal tendon or ligament tearing, but not in horses with other lesions. This suggests that COMP may be a reliable molecular marker for this specific type of tendon damage in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Smith MR, Wright IM, Minshall GJ, Dudhia J, Verheyen K, Heinegård D, Smith RK.
(2010).
Increased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein concentrations in equine digital flexor tendon sheath synovial fluid predicts intrathecal tendon damage.
Vet Surg, 40(1), 54-58.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950X.2010.00751.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal Veterinary College, Equine Referral Hospital, North Mymms, UK. matt.smith@neh.uk.com
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cadaver
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins / analysis
- Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Glycoproteins / analysis
- Glycoproteins / metabolism
- Horse Diseases / metabolism
- Horses
- Matrilin Proteins
- Synovial Fluid / chemistry
- Synovial Fluid / metabolism
- Tendon Injuries / metabolism
- Tendon Injuries / veterinary
- Tenosynovitis / metabolism
- Tenosynovitis / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Guadalupi M, Girelli CR, Della Tommasa S, Corte FD, Crovace AM, Fanizzi FP, Brehm W, Lacitignola L. Metabolomic analysis of synovial fluid from healthy and pathological equine joints and tendon sheaths using high-resolution (1)H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1671176.
- Jacklin BD, Hanousek K, Gillespie S, Liedtke A, Tucker R, Fiske-Jackson A, Smith RK. Validation of a novel clinical tool for monitoring distal limb stiffness. Front Vet Sci 2023;10:1271036.
- Halper J. Basic Components of Connective Tissues and Extracellular Matrix: Fibronectin, Fibrinogen, Laminin, Elastin, Fibrillins, Fibulins, Matrilins, Tenascins and Thrombospondins. Adv Exp Med Biol 2021;1348:105-126.
- Smith R, Önnerfjord P, Holmgren K, di Grado S, Dudhia J. Development of a Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Neo-Epitope Assay for the Detection of Intra-Thecal Tendon Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020 Mar 20;21(6).
- Dakin SG, Smith RK, Heinegård D, Önnerfjord P, Khabut A, Dudhia J. Proteomic analysis of tendon extracellular matrix reveals disease stage-specific fragmentation and differential cleavage of COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein). J Biol Chem 2014 Feb 21;289(8):4919-27.
- Södersten F, Hultenby K, Heinegård D, Johnston C, Ekman S. Immunolocalization of collagens (I and III) and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in the normal and injured equine superficial digital flexor tendon. Connect Tissue Res 2013;54(1):62-9.
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