Purina's Research
Purina's Research
Biomarkers can provide important clues about the progression of disease. In cardiac conditions such as MMVD, advancing stages are a risk for heart failure. Purina scientists studied microRNA in dogs with MMVD to assess the potential for new biomarkers.
Purina scientists analyzed 277 circulating miRNA expression profiles from dogs in all stages of MMVD, from normal dogs to those in congestive heart failure.17
Although additional research is needed, the results suggest that some circulating miRNAs could be biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, or monitoring response to treatment in MMVD in dogs.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that are potential noninvasive biomarkers for cardiac disease.
Using the ACVIM guidelines for staging dogs with MMVD, the researchers placed 18 dogs of various breeds into three groups of six dogs each.
Results showed that dogs in stages B, C, or D had 11 miRNAs that were differentially expressed compared to healthy dogs in stage A.
Among the 11 miRNAs that were differentially expressed, 6 miRNAs were significantly different between dogs in stage B1/B2 and those in stage C or D.
Gene expression changes were also greater as the severity of MMVD increased.
Key things to remember
- The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine classification scheme has identified four stages of heart disease in cats with cardiomyopathies and in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
- Heart disease progression can be unpredictable and pets often appear normal in the early stages of heart disease.
- Finding new biomarkers for MMVD, such as miRNA, may improve early diagnosis for dogs with this heart disease.