Related Experiment Videos
Zymographic analysis of equine laminitis
1Department of Companion Animal Sciences, School of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Histochemistry and Cell Biology
|January 29, 2000
Summary
Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in equine laminitis was studied. Increased circulating MMP-9 in horses with laminitis suggests inadequate regulation of gelatinase activity contributes to hoof failure.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Equine laminitis is a debilitating condition affecting the hoof.
- Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are implicated in tissue degradation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in equine laminitis pathophysiology.
- To analyze MMP activity in lamellar and systemic samples from horses with laminitis.
Main Methods:
- In situ zymography and quantitative SDS-PAGE zymography were employed.
- Analysis focused on lamellae, plasma, and serum of horses with carbohydrate overload-induced laminitis.
Main Results:
- Gelatinase activity in epidermal lamellae did not differ significantly between normal and laminitic hooves.
- Increased vascular gelatinase activity was observed in laminitis sections.
- Horses developing laminitis showed a rapid increase in circulating latent MMP-9, while MMP-2 remained constant.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate regulation of gelatinase activity is implicated in laminitis.
- Selective degradation of basement membrane components leads to laminitis.
- Failure of the basement membrane-epidermis attachment is a key factor in laminitis development.