02066: Identification of Novel Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Chronic Kidney Disease in Dogs
Grant Status: Closed
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease is a significant cause of illness and death in dogs. Early treatment can prolong the lives of dogs with chronic kidney disease, but timely detection can be difficult. The outcome for each patient using current, early non-invasive testing is unpredictable. Therefore, improvements in tests to detect kidney damage at an earlier stage would allow veterinarians to provide dogs with appropriate treatments in a more timely fashion to slow disease progression and improve quality and length of life. Further, better treatments are needed to prevent disease progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small molecules that can regulate gene expression by up or down regulation of messenger RNA transcripts and proteins in target tissues. Many studies have found that increases or decreases in miRNAs can serve as biomarkers of diseases, including human chronic kidney disease. They also contribute to the development of diseases. Dr. Nabity will evaluate miRNAs in the serum and urine of dogs with chronic kidney disease to determine their use as biomarkers of kidney injury and their potential as targets for future therapeutics. They will evaluate kidney tissue, urine, and serum samples from dogs with a hereditary disease that causes early-onset chronic kidney disease, as well as serum and urine from dogs with a variety of other naturally occurring kidney diseases to identify miRNAs that may be useful as biomarkers of kidney damage. Gene and protein targets of altered miRNAs will also be evaluated to learn more about the mechanisms that contribute to the development of chronic kidney disease in dogs.
Publication(s)
Chu, C. P., Liu, S., Song, W., Xu, E. Y., & Nabity, M. B. (2021). Small RNA sequencing evaluation of renal microRNA biomarkers in dogs with X-linked hereditary nephropathy. Scientific Reports, 11(1), 17437. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96870-y
Hokamp, J. A., Cianciolo, R. E., Boggess, M., Lees, G. E., Benali, S. L., Kovarsky, M., & Nabity, M. B. (2016). Correlation of Urine and Serum Biomarkers with Renal Damage and Survival in Dogs with Naturally Occurring Proteinuric Chronic Kidney Disease. J Vet Intern Med, 30(2), 591-601. doi:10.1111/jvim.13832
Chu, C. P., & Nabity, M. B. (2019). Comparison of RNA isolation and library preparation methods for small RNA sequencing of canine biofluids. Veterinary Clinical Pathology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1111/vcp.12743
Help Future Generations of Dogs
Participate in canine health research by providing samples or by enrolling in a clinical trial. Samples are needed from healthy dogs and dogs affected by specific diseases.
