Evaluation of the expression of circulating miRNAs and in the tibiotarsal articulation in horses

Abstract

Horses have great economic importance in our country and in the sporting events, and arthropathies are frequent and generate significant economic losses in this species, leading to decrease of performance and early interruption of their career. From the identification of miRNAs in equine osteoarthritis, models can be created to study signaling pathways of joint diseases, which may accelerate the development of therapeutic treatments. The aim of this study was to identify the largest possible number of miRNAs expressed in the tibiotarsal joint of traumatic osteoarthritis (non-experimental) in comparison with healthy Quarter Horses; and to verify whether these miRNAs could act as possible early systemic diagnostic biomarkers of joint disorders before the appearance of radiographic signs or signs of pain using microarray technology. Eight Quarter Horses, 2 to 5 years of age, will be used. The animals will undergo clinical examination consisting of visual examination of lameness, trauma, skin abnormalities and joint effusion. Radiographic and ultrasonographic examination of the tibiotarsal joints will be performed to evaluate the presence of signs of osteoarthritis. Horses will be divided into two equal groups: control group (CG) - four animals without any signs of osteoarthritis, and osteoarthritis group (OA) - four horses diagnosed with traumatic tarsal osteoarthritis (non-experimental). Blood plasma and synovial fluid will be collected to perform the analysis of the circulating miRNAs by microarray. (AU)