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Plasma and synovial fluid extracellular vesicles display altered microRNA profiles in horses with naturally occurring post-traumatic osteoarthritis: an exploratory study.
Abstract: The objective of this study was to characterize extracellular vesicles (EVs) in plasma and synovial fluid obtained from horses with and without naturally occurring post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Methods: EVs were isolated from plasma and synovial fluid from horses with (n = 6) and without (n = 6) PTOA. Methods: Plasma and synovial fluid EVs were characterized with respect to quantity, size, and surface markers. Small RNA sequencing was performed, and differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) underwent bioinformatic analysis to identify putative targets and to explore potential associations with specific biological processes. Results: Plasma and synovial fluid samples from horses with PTOA had a significantly higher proportion of exosomes and a lower proportion of microvesicles compared to horses without PTOA. Small RNA sequencing revealed several differentially expressed miRNAs, including miR-144, miR-219-3p, and miR-199a-3l in plasma and miR-199a-3p, miR-214, and miR-9094 in synovial fluid EVs. Bioinformatics analysis of the differentially expressed miRNAs highlighted their potential role in fibrosis, differentiation of chondrocytes, apoptosis, and inflammation pathways in PTOA. Conclusions: We have identified dynamic molecular changes in the small noncoding signatures of plasma and synovial fluid EVs in horses with naturally occurring PTOA. These findings could serve to identify promising biomarkers in the pathogenesis of PTOA, to facilitate the development of targeted therapies, and to aid in establishing appropriate translational models of PTOA.
Publication Date: 2024-04-13 PubMed ID: 38593834DOI: 10.2460/javma.24.02.0102Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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This research seeks to understand the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in horses. The investigators found that the characteristics and microRNA content of these vesicles in both blood plasma and joint fluid varied significantly between horses with and without PTOA.
Objective and Methodology of the Research
- The goal of the study was to characterize extracellular vesicles in plasma and synovial fluid (fluid that reduces friction in the joints) taken from horses with and without post-traumatic osteoarthritis.
- The researchers collected and analyzed the EVs in the plasma and synovial fluid from horses suffering from PTOA (n=6) and healthy horses (n=6).
- The teams then used small RNA sequencing and other techniques to identify the quantity, size, surface markers or indicators, and differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) within the EVs.
Findings of the Study
- The study found that the plasma and synovial fluid from horses with PTOA contained a higher number of exosomes and a lower number of microvesicles as compared to the samples from healthy horses.
- It identified several miRNAs (microRNAs), including miR-144, miR-219-3p, and miR-199a-3p in the plasma EVs, as well as miR-199a-3p, miR-214 and miR-9094 in synovial fluid EVs, which displayed significantly different expression levels between the PTOA and non-PTOA groups.
- These differentially expressed miRNAs are thought to play a potential role in several biological processes related to PTOA, including fibrosis (scarring), chondrocytes differentiation (development of cells that produce cartilage), apoptosis (controlled cell death), and inflammation pathways.
Implications of the Research
- The dynamic changes identified in the miRNA signatures of plasma and synovial fluid EVs in horses with PTOA could serve as significant biomarkers in understanding the progression of PTOA.
- This information could facilitate the development of targeted therapies, and it could assist in establishing appropriate translational models for studying PTOA.
Cite This Article
APA
Connard SS, Gaesser AM, Clarke EJ, Linardi RL, Even KM, Engiles JB, Koch DW, Peffers MJ, Ortved KF.
(2024).
Plasma and synovial fluid extracellular vesicles display altered microRNA profiles in horses with naturally occurring post-traumatic osteoarthritis: an exploratory study.
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 1-12.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.24.02.0102 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and the Comparative Medicine Institute, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC.
- Preclinical Surgical Research Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Li L, Xu Z, Gao F, Xu J. Current status and future prospects of nanocarrier-mediated miRNA delivery for osteoarthritis therapy. Front Med (Lausanne) 2025;12:1728944.
- Sisia G, Giudice E, Attanzio A, Briglia M, Piccione G, Trunfio C, Arfuso F. Exosome and miRNA Content Engagement in the Physical Exercise Response: What Is Known to Date in Atheltic Horses?. Int J Mol Sci 2026 Jan 4;27(1).
- Peters H, Rockel JS, Little CB, Kapoor M. Synovial fluid as a complex molecular pool contributing to knee osteoarthritis. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2025 Aug;21(8):447-464.
- Milczek-Haduch D, Żmigrodzka M, Witkowska-Piłaszewicz O. Extracellular Vesicles in Sport Horses: Potential Biomarkers and Modulators of Exercise Adaptation and Therapeutics. Int J Mol Sci 2025 May 3;26(9).
- Yuan X, Yao X, Zeng Y, Wang J, Ren W, Wang T, Li X, Yang L, Yang X, Meng J. The Impact of the Competition on miRNA, Proteins, and Metabolites in the Blood Exosomes of the Yili Horse. Genes (Basel) 2025 Feb 15;16(2).
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