1312: Association mapping study of Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease in the West Highland White Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier, and Cairn Terriers

Grant Status: Closed

Grant Amount: $78,688
Alison Starr-Moss, PhD; Clemson University
January 1, 2010 - June 30, 2013

Sponsor(s): Australian Terrier Club of America, Border Terrier Club of America, Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc., Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, Parson Russell Terrier Association of America, Pug Dog Club of America, Inc., Schipperke Club of America Rescue and Health Foundation, The Foundation of the Cairn Terrier Club of America, The K9 College, The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America, Inc., Versatility in Poodles, Inc., West Highland White Terrier Club of America, Westie Foundation of America, Inc., Yorkshire Terrier Club of America Foundation, Inc.

Breed(s): West Highland White Terrier, Cairn Terrier, Yorkshire Terrier
Research Program Area: Musculoskeletal Conditions and Disease
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Project Summary

Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (LCPD) is a developmental orthopedic disorder of the coxofemoral joint that is observed in humans and dogs. A loss of vasculature in the developing femoral head leads to necrosis and subsequent microfracture of the capital femoral epiphysis. The resultant articular incongruency reduces joint stability and can cause secondary osteoarthritis. LCPD is among the most common hip disorders diagnosed in children. In humans, private mutations have been identified in COL2a1, but sequencing in dogs did not reveal any causative mutations (Starr- Moss et al. 2012). The etiology of LCPD remains poorly understood, and genetic and environmental factors are expected to play a role in the disease. LCPD most commonly affects breeds of small stature, including the West Highland white terrier (WHWT), Yorkshire terrier (YT), Cairn terrier (CT), schipperke (SCH), and poodle (PDL). A multi-breed genome-wide association study was undertaken to identify loci contributing to canine LCPD.

This study aimed to identify genomic regions associated with Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCPD) in terrier breeds, including West Highland White Terriers (WHWT), Yorkshire Terriers, and Cairn Terriers. To this end, we have completed a genetic study using a population of 129 dogs (51 LCPD-affected, 78 control). Optimally, we hoped to identify a major locus causing LCPD in dogs, and identify a marker that could be reliably used to predict and prevent cases of LCPD.

Our initial goal was to collect blood samples from 200 dogs of the three aforementioned breeds; however, insufficient numbers of study participants were obtained. Two additional breeds, Schipperkes and Fox Terriers, significantly increased the numbers of study participants; seven additional breeds submitted

LCPD has been proposed to be an autosomal recessive disease. Our study results do not support this hypothesis. LCPD appears to be genetically complex, likely with several genes contributing to the onset of clinical signs.

The analyses of our data did not reveal a major locus shared among the breeds that could explain the onset of LCPD. Individual regions identified from the analyses are being examined further for genotypes that are highly correlated with LCPD and that may be used as predictors of LCPD. There are no immediate candidate genes to sequence, nor is there a test at this time to avoid producing LCPD. One candidate gene identified from human cases of LCPD, COL2A1, was sequenced in affected and control WHWT and excluded as being involved in canine LCPD. Additional analyses with new software programs are being carried out. It is our hope that these secondary analyses will help dissect the complex genetic control of LCPD. Further work remains necessary to elucidate these mechanisms.

Importantly, however, it appears as though there are subclinical LCPD-affected dogs in terrier populations. As samples were collected for this study, a family of fox terriers with three LCPD affected members was identified and recruited for study participation. Two of the three affected dogs shared a sire, but occurred in different litters with unrelated dams. After radiographing the littermates and parents of these affected dogs, four additional LCPD-affected dogs were diagnosed, based on characteristic hip changes. In this family, the percentage of affected dogs increased from 12% to 32% after detailed radiographic examination. The 4 previously unknown LCPD dogs had no history of trauma or limping. A manuscript is in preparation describing this family of fox terriers, and recommending the radiographic evaluation of dogs with LCPD relatives, even in the absence of clinical signs.

Publication(s)

Starr-Moss, A. N., Nowend, K. L., Alling, K. M., Zepp, E. J., & Murphy, K. E. (2012). Exclusion of COL2A1 in canine Legg-Calve´- Perthes disease. Animal Genetics, 43(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2052.2011.02215.x

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