microRNAs are differentially expressed in equine plasma of horses with osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans versus control horses.
Authors: Antunes Joshua, Salcedo-Jiménez Ramés, Lively Starlee, Potla Pratibha, Coté Nathalie, Dubois Marie-Soleil, Koenig Judith, Kapoor Mohit, LaMarre Jonathan, Koch Thomas Gadegaard
Journal: PloS one
Summary
# Editorial Summary Osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans represent significant causes of equine lameness, yet early diagnosis remains elusive and disease-modifying treatments are limited. Researchers from this 2024 study investigated whether microRNA (miRNA) profiles in blood plasma could serve as non-invasive biomarkers for joint disease, comparing five horses with OA, five with OCD, and four healthy controls using next-generation sequencing and digital PCR validation. Substantial differences emerged: 57 differentially expressed miRNAs distinguished OA horses from controls, 45 differentiated OCD cases, and 21 separated OA from OCD horses—notably, miR-140-5p showed elevated expression in OA synovial fluid, suggesting a potential protective role in early disease stages. Pathway analysis revealed these miRNA signatures relate to glycosaminoglycan and glycan degradation alongside hippo signalling, mechanisms central to cartilage breakdown and bone remodelling. Although validation difficulties (attributed to isomiRs—structural variants of canonical miRNAs—that standard PCR cannot reliably detect) complicate immediate clinical translation, these findings support the concept of blood-based miRNA profiles as future diagnostic tools for joint disease monitoring in horses, potentially enabling earlier intervention before irreversible damage occurs.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Blood plasma miRNA profiles may eventually enable earlier OA/OCD detection before clinical lameness appears, though validation is still needed
- •miR-140-5p elevation warrants further investigation as a potential biomarker for early OA intervention opportunities
- •Current miRNA detection methods (NGS vs ddPCR) produce inconsistent results—standardisation is essential before plasma testing can become clinically useful
Key Findings
- •57 differentially expressed miRNAs identified in OA versus control plasma, with 45 in OCD versus control plasma
- •miR-140-5p elevated in OA synovial fluid suggesting potential protective role in early OA
- •Differentially expressed miRNAs associated with glycan degradation, glycosaminoglycan degradation, and hippo signaling pathways
- •Digital droplet PCR validation failed to confirm NGS data, suggesting isomiRs may complicate miRNA expression analysis