00360-A: Genome Expression Profiling: Canine Cardiomyopathy and Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Grant Amount: $10,315

Mark A. Oyama, DVM; University of Illinois

October 1, 2004 - September 30, 2005

Sponsor(s):

Breed(s): Doberman Pinscher, Boxer

Research Program Area: Cardiology

Abstract

Canine cardiomyopathy and degenerative valve disease have proven to be highly complex conditions, with multiple potential etiologies, elaborate and interrelated pathophysiologic mechanisms, and a diverse phenotypic expression. The analysis of such complex systems would benefit from a global assessment of gene expression. Because gene expression is the primary regulator of cell function, expression profiling in diseased subjects could provide valuable information about the response of the cell to injury, activity of physiologic pathways, and possible etiologies. Expression profiling may also enable the identification of diagnostic or prognostic markers, thereby improving the clinical management of disease. To this end, genomic microarrays represent an emerging technology that can assess the activity to profile the genome on a global scale. Using a newly developed canine gene microarray, we seek to profile genome expression in ventricular tissue of dogs with cardiomyopathy in mitral valve tissue in dogs with age-related mitral disease, and to compare the genomic expression in these populations with controls from an age and breed matched population. Genomic profiling will provide a molecular portrait of cardiomyopathy and degenerative valve disease.

Publication(s)