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Circulating exosomes may identify biomarkers for cows at risk for metabolic dysfunction
Fatema B Almughlliq1, Yong Q Koh1, Hassendrini N Peiris2
1University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4029, Australia.
Scientific Reports
|September 27, 2019
Summary
Circulating exosomes from high-risk dairy cows contain unique proteins, potentially serving as biomarkers for metabolic diseases. These exosomes influence eicosanoid pathways in endometrial cells, offering diagnostic insights for improved herd health.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Dairy cows are highly susceptible to diseases during the transition from pregnancy to lactation.
- Circulating exosomes show promise as biomarkers for early detection of at-risk cows, aiming to improve animal health and productivity.
- Metabolic dysfunction during the transition period significantly impacts dairy cow health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify potential protein biomarkers in circulating exosomes for dairy cows at high risk of transition-related metabolic diseases.
- To investigate the differential proteomic profiles of exosomes from high-risk and low-risk cows.
- To evaluate the impact of these exosomes on eicosanoid pathway gene expression and production in bovine endometrial cells.
Main Methods:
- Identification of high-risk and low-risk cows based on plasma non-esterified fatty acid, β-hydroxybutyrate, and liver triacylglyceride concentrations.
- Isolation and proteomic analysis of circulating exosomes from plasma of low-risk (LR-EXO) and high-risk (HR-EXO) dairy cows.
- In vitro evaluation of exosome effects on eicosanoid pathway gene expression and production in bovine endometrial stromal (bCSC) and epithelial (bEEL) cells.
Main Results:
- HR-EXO exhibited lower yield compared to LR-EXO, with distinct protein compositions identified in each.
- Exposure to LR-EXO and HR-EXO differentially modulated eicosanoid gene expression and production in bCSC and bEEL cells.
- Specific proteins (serpin A3-7, coiled-coil domain containing 88A, inhibin/activin β A chain) were uniquely present in HR-EXO, suggesting potential disease biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- Unique proteins in HR-EXO may serve as diagnostic biomarkers for dairy cows at risk of metabolic diseases.
- Exosomes differentially affect eicosanoid pathways in endometrial cells, correlating with the cow's health status.
- Circulating exosomes hold potential for a diagnostic role in enhancing dairy cow health and fertility.
