Landmark Clinical Trial to Establish the Evidence-Based Use of Regenerative Medicine to Treat Tendon Injury in Dogs

Posted on by Janet Boyd

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cells in the treatment of the most common sporting injury in dogs: supraspinatus tendinopathy (similar to the rotator cuff injury in humans). Tendon injuries in dogs often progress undiagnosed and result in chronic lameness and pain. Ultimately, unassisted tendon healing results in scar formation and reduced function of the joint and surrounding muscle tissue. PRP and stem cell therapies aim to accelerate and promote healing through tissue regeneration and reduced scarring. The investigators will conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of PRP, adipose-derived, cultured stem cells (ASC) and commonly used stromal vascular fraction (SVF)cells to directly compare efficacy of intratendinous injection of ASC versus SVF, both of which are currently commercially available despite having limited scientific evidence of efficacy. The investigators hope to identify an effective treatment to supraspinatus tendon injury.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 02107

RESEARCHERS

Jennifer Barrett, DVM, PhD; Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine
Amount: $7,500

Embracing Polygenicity of Common Complex Disease in Dogs: Genome wide Association of Cruciate Ligament Rupture

Posted on by Janet Boyd

Cruciate ligament rupture (CR) is a common disabling, degenerative condition of the knee. It places a large financial burden on the American public. Inflammation of the stifle and fraying of cruciate ligament fibers, particularly in the cranial cruciate ligament, eventually leads to ligament rupture with associated stifle instability in affected dogs. CR is a moderately heritable, complex disease with genetic and environmental risk.

CR is common in certain breeds, such as the Labrador Retriever, and rare in other breeds. There is a critical gap in knowledge regarding the genetic contribution to CR, as the number of genes influencing disease risk has never been studied in detail.

Our main goal is to comprehensively analyze the genetic features of the disease across the genome and use this knowledge to develop a genetic test for CR disease risk using genomic prediction. We aim to robustly estimate heritability, analyze the genetic architecture of CR, and advance genetic testing using genomic prediction in the Labrador Retriever, the most common purebred dog breed. The rationale for this work is that detailed knowledge of the genetic features of CR will advance development of a genetic test for CR risk using genomic prediction. This work will fundamentally advance knowledge of the genetic architecture of CR, a very common canine disease. Consequently, such knowledge will provide an invaluable guide to future research into other canine complex diseases. CR genetic testing would enable early identification of at-risk dogs for precision medical care, and selective breeding to reduce the disease burden.

Co-sponsored with the AKC Canine Health Foundation, Grant Number: 02664

RESEARCHERS

Peter Muir, BVSc, PhD; University of Wisconsin, Madison
Amount: $2,500