The goal for this project is to develop a reliable, accessible, and actionable test to identify dogs at risk for hemangiosarcoma during the earliest stages of disease and to use a strategic, rationally designed approach to prevent its occurrence in these high-risk dogs before it becomes clinically detrimental and life-threatening. The study has two objectives. The first is to determine the most reasonable duration of an SOS test result. In other words, how long can a low-risk SOS test result be trusted and how much time might elapse between a high-risk SOS test result and the development of hemangiosarcoma. The second aim is to continue periodic testing for dogs previously enrolled in the Shine On study whose test result would have placed them in a high-risk category for development of hemangiosarcoma, and to provide eBAT as a strategy for prevention in up to 12 of these dogs. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 02806-MOU EY4: Strategic Prevention of Canine Hemangiosarcoma: Lifetime Follow-Up”
Research Update CHF 02403-MOU FINAL: Microphthalmia and Delayed Growth Syndrome in the Portuguese Water Dog
Through the generosity of the AKC-CHF and the PWD breeders, we have been able to find the genetic defect that causes puppy eye syndrome (microphthalmia syndrome) in the Portuguese Water Dog. The defect consists of a large insertion and deletion within a gene that is responsible for ocular development and bone marrow regulation.
Research Update 02945-MOU EY3: Understanding the genetic basis of Addison’s disease in Portuguese Water Dogs
Over the first 3 years of this study, we have focused primarily on sample collection and running an initial set of genetics experiments. We collected samples mostly through PWD-related channels working directly with our collaborators in the PWDF/PWDCA. We also attended the PWD National Specialty in September 2021 and August 2022 to promote the study and collect samples, and we established a collaboration with Dr. Anita Oberbauer at UC Davis to share samples that she had already collected. To date, we have in hand 151 samples from affected PWDs and 319 samples from unaffected PWDs. Based upon relatedness, we have performed low-pass whole genome sequencing on 46 affected dogs and 55 unaffected dogs, and we have used data from these genotyping efforts to perform a genome-wide association study (GWAS). This initial study using traditional GWAS analysis approaches did not detect any major genetic differences between affected and unaffected PWDs. This is consistent with our thinking that the disease is genetically “complex.”
Research Update CHF 03055 MY2: Evaluating Reproductive Diseases in vitro with a 3D Canine Endometrial Organoid Model
Three-dimensional (3D) organoid cell cultures present new opportunities to improve understanding of common reproductive pathologies in the bitch in a laboratory setting rather than using live animals for research. This is an improvement on using research dogs by: i) addressing important welfare and ethical concerns, ii) allowing more controlled study of cellular responses due to different hormones and infectious agents, and iii) permitting high-throughput evaluation of treatments performed in tandem. This 3D reproductive organoid cell culture technology has not been attempted in canines prior to these studies. Continue reading “Research Update CHF 03055 MY2: Evaluating Reproductive Diseases in vitro with a 3D Canine Endometrial Organoid Model”
Research Update End-year 9 CHF 01760-T: Use of Gene Therapy to Treat Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the second most common cause of heart disease in dogs, and medical management of the secondary signs is the only therapeutic option. The outcome for affected dogs depends on the stage of disease and the breed. Once diagnosed, dogs typically exhibit rapid and uniform progression to congestive heart failure (CHF), with most living less than 6 months.