Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Isolation of Small Noncoding RNAs from Human Serum
Published on: June 19, 2014
Serum microRNAs 122, 1275, 21, 222, and 181A are not differentially expressed in dogs with idiopathic or
Adrián Tinoco-Nájera1, João P Cavasin1, Kathleen M Aicher1
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Gastrointestinal Laboratory, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.
Objective:
To determine whether microRNAs 122, 1275, 21, 222, and 181A serve as noninvasive biomarkers of canine chronic hepatitis (CH); can distinguish between dogs with idiopathic CH (iCH) and copper-associated CH (CuCH); and correlate with serum ALT activity, grade of inflammation, fibrosis, and degree of copper accumulation.
Methods:
From May 2019 through October 2023, dogs with CH, histologically characterized as either iCH or CuCH, and healthy control (HC) dogs without liver biopsies were enrolled in this prospective uncontrolled study. Serum samples were collected, and serum microRNAs were quantified by real-time quantitative PCR. Differences in gene fold expression between groups were calculated. Correlations between microRNA gene fold expression and serum ALT, hepatic copper quantification, grade of necroinflammatory activity, fibrosis, and histological copper score were assessed.
Results:
A total of 18 dogs with iCH, 14 dogs with CuCH, and 42 HC dogs were enrolled. No differences between iCH and CuCH dogs were observed for any microRNA. Differences between HC and overall CH dogs were observed for microRNAs 122, 1275, and 21. Positive correlations with serum ALT activity between microRNAs 122 and 21 were observed.
Conclusions:
None of the studied microRNAs were able to differentiate iCH from CuCH and only correlated with ALT activity. Serum microRNAs 122, 1275, and 21 appear to be nonspecific makers of hepatocellular injury.
Clinical Relevance:
Our results do not support the utility of these microRNAs as markers for distinguishing between iCH and CuCH in dogs.
Insights
Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) do not distinguish between canine chronic hepatitis types. While some miRNAs correlate with liver injury markers like ALT, they are not specific enough for diagnosing idiopathic CH versus copper-associated CH in dogs.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Canine chronic hepatitis (CH) is a significant liver disease in dogs.
- Distinguishing between idiopathic CH (iCH) and copper-associated CH (CuCH) is crucial for treatment.
- Noninvasive biomarkers for CH diagnosis and subtyping are needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate specific microRNAs (miRNAs) as noninvasive biomarkers for canine CH.
- To determine if these miRNAs can differentiate iCH from CuCH.
- To assess correlations between miRNA levels and indicators of liver injury and copper accumulation.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from dogs with iCH, CuCH, and healthy controls (HC) were analyzed.
- Real-time quantitative PCR was used to quantify serum miRNA expression.
- Statistical analyses were performed to compare miRNA levels and correlate them with clinical and histological findings.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in the studied miRNAs were found between iCH and CuCH groups.
- MicroRNAs 122, 1275, and 21 showed differences between healthy controls and overall CH dogs.
- Positive correlations were observed between miRNAs 122 and 21 and serum ALT activity.
Conclusions:
- The studied microRNAs cannot differentiate between iCH and CuCH in dogs.
- Serum miRNAs 122, 1275, and 21 may indicate hepatocellular injury but are not specific for CH subtypes.
- These miRNAs lack utility for distinguishing between iCH and CuCH in canine patients.
