Searching for serum protein markers of equine squamous gastric disease using gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry.
Authors: Tesena P, Yingchutrakul Y, Roytrakul S, Taylor J, Angkanaporn K, Wongtawan T
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Equine Squamous Gastric Disease: Identifying Serum Protein Markers With 43% prevalence in this study population, equine squamous gastric disease (ESGD) remains common but difficult to screen for without gastroscopy, prompting researchers to identify practical serum biomarkers. Using pooled sera from 30 horses categorised as normal, mild/moderate ESGD, or severe ESGD following gastroscopic examination, Tesena and colleagues employed one-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry to profile proteomic differences across disease states. The analysis revealed disease-stage-specific markers: B4GALNT2 and XDH characterised normal stomachs, KRT10 was associated with mild/moderate ulceration, KLK13 with severe disease, and six additional proteins (SLC4A7, PPARG, FCGBP, PKP1, ASPRV1 and KRT5-like proteins) appeared across ulcer types. Whilst these ten candidate proteins show promise as non-invasive diagnostic indicators, their biological functions in equine gastric pathology remain poorly understood, and validation with specific antibodies in larger clinical cohorts is essential before implementation in field or clinical settings.
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Practical Takeaways
- •A practical serum-based screening test for ESGD does not yet exist, but these protein markers represent promising candidates for future diagnostic development
- •Given the high prevalence of ESGD (43%), improved non-invasive screening tools would be valuable for identifying affected horses without gastroscopy
- •Until antibody-based confirmation studies are completed, gastroscopy remains the gold standard for ESGD diagnosis in clinical practice
Key Findings
- •ESGD prevalence was 43% in the study population (33% mild/moderate, 10% severe)
- •Ten serum proteins identified as putative markers: B4GALNT2 and XDH for normal stomach, KRT10 for mild/moderate ESGD, KLK13 for severe ESGD, and SLC4A7, PPARG, FCGBP, PKP1, ASPRV1, and KRT5-like proteins for both ulcer types
- •Proteomic analysis using gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry successfully differentiated between normal and diseased gastric states
- •Confirmation with specific antibodies in larger cohorts is required before clinical application