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Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Cell Type-specific Gene Expression Profiling in the Mouse Liver
Published on: September 17, 2019
Age and diet affect gene expression profiles in canine liver tissue
Dong Yong Kil1, Brittany M Vester Boler, Carolyn J Apanavicius
1Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, Illinois, United States of America.
Aging alters canine liver gene expression, increasing disease risk. Diet impacts young dogs more than seniors, suggesting targeted nutrition may mitigate age-related liver dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Comparative genomics
- Veterinary medicine
- Nutritional science
Background:
- Liver function declines with age, similar to humans.
- Senior dogs develop chronic hepatic diseases influenced by diet.
- Limited molecular data exists on age and diet effects in canine liver.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate age- and diet-related molecular changes in canine liver tissue.
- Identify molecular pathways affected by aging and diet in dogs.
- Provide insights into age-associated liver dysfunction and potential nutritional interventions.
Main Methods:
- Collected liver samples from senior (12-year-old) and young adult (1-year-old) female beagles.
- Fed animal protein-based (APB) or plant protein-based (PPB) diets for 12 months.
- Analyzed gene expression using Affymetrix Canine Genome Arrays.
Main Results:
- Age altered 234 genes; diet affected 137 genes.
- Genes involved in cellular development, nutrient metabolism, and signal transduction were impacted.
- Senior livers showed increased inflammation/oxidative stress genes, decreased regeneration/metabolism genes.
- Diet affected more genes in young dogs (33) than senior dogs (3).
Conclusions:
- Aging significantly alters canine liver gene expression, predisposing to disease.
- Molecular insights support age-related hepatic dysfunction parallels in humans.
- Data may guide nutritional management to reduce age-dependent liver issues.
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