Identification of serum biomarkers in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis canis using a proteomic approach

BMC Veterinary Research Identification of serum biomarkers in dogs naturally infected with Babesia canis canis using a proteomic approach Josipa Kule 2 Vladimir Mrljak 1 Renata Bari Rafaj 2 Jelena Selanec 1 Richard Burchmore 0 Peter D Eckersall 0 0 Institute of Infection , Immunity and Inflammation , College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow , Glasgow , UK 1 Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia 2 Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb , Zagreb , Croatia Background: Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that is caused by the haemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia. There are limited data on serum proteomics in dogs, and none of the effect of babesiosis on the serum proteome. The aim of this study was to identify the potential serum biomarkers of babesiosis using proteomic techniques in order to increase our understanding about disease pathogenesis. Results: Serum samples were collected from 25 dogs of various breeds and sex with naturally occurring babesiosis caused by B. canis canis. Blood was collected on the day of admission (day 0), and subsequently on the 1st and 6th day of treatment. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE) of pooled serum samples of dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis (day 0, day 1 and day 6) and healthy dogs were run in triplicate. 2DE image analysis showed 64 differentially expressed spots with p 0.05 and 49 spots with fold change 2. Six selected spots were excised manually and subjected to trypsin digest prior to identification by electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry on an Amazon ion trap tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Mass spectrometry data was processed using Data Analysis software and the automated Matrix Science Mascot Daemon server. Protein identifications were assigned using the Mascot search engine to interrogate protein sequences in the NCBI Genbank database. A number of differentially expressed serum proteins involved in inflammation mediated acute phase response, complement and coagulation cascades, apolipoproteins and vitamin D metabolism pathway were identified in dogs with babesiosis. Conclusions: Our findings confirmed two dominant pathogenic mechanisms of babesiosis, haemolysis and acute phase response. These results may provide possible serum biomarker candidates for clinical monitoring of babesiosis and this study could serve as the basis for further proteomic investigations in canine babesiosis. Dog; Babesiosis; Acute phase proteins; Serum biomarkers; Proteomics; 2-dimensional electrophoresis - Background Canine babesiosis is a tick-borne disease that is caused by the haemoprotozoan parasites of the genus Babesia [1]. Babesia is one of the most ubiquitous and widespread blood parasite in the world based on number and distribution of species in animals. It can be compared with the Plasmodium, with which it shares phylogenetic proximity and numerous biological features. There are three antigenically different subspecies of Babesia canis: B. canis canis, B. canis vogeli and B. canis rossi [2,3]. Canine babesiosis caused by B. canis canis is a very common cause of morbidity of dogs in Croatia [4-7]. The typical signs of uncomplicated babesiosis are pale mucous membranes, fever, anorexia, depression, splenomegaly and water hammer pulse. The clinical manifestation of the complicated form is variable and includes acute renal failure, cerebral babesiosis, coagulopathy, icterus and hepatopathy, immune-mediated haemolytic anaemia (IMHA), peracute babesiosis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), haemoconcentration and shock [8]. Much of the disease process in babesiosis could be explained by the host inflammatory response to the parasite, rather than the parasite itself. Parasitised erythrocytes induce acute phase response and activation of coagulation system. The pathological mechanisms include endothelial cell activation and damage, vascular permeability increase, tissue hipoxia, abnormal perfusion and leukocyte infiltration. These could lead to microcirculation blockade, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and, in severe cases, to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS). Proteomics has become one of the most significant postgenomic era tools due to advances in proteomic technologies which have allowed an extended experimental approach to investigation of biological systems. The use of proteomic methods in animal sciences can help researchers to identify key proteins and their changed expression in response to different experimental conditions. In a general sense, the research field of host-pathogen interactions is very important due to its impact and importance of infectious diseases that threaten human and animal health. Naturally occurring animal diseases can be studied to improve the health of animals which in turn may lead to improvements in the characterization, clinical management and treatment of human diseases through comparative medicines [9]. There are limited data on serum proteomics in dogs [10], and none on babesiosis. The aim of this study was to identify potential serum biomarkers using proteomic techniques and to increase our understanding about disease pathogenesis. Methods Sample collection Serum samples were collected from 25 dogs of various breeds and sex with naturally occurring babesiosis caused by B. canis canis, admitted to Clinic for Internal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Croatia. This study was approved by the Committee on the Ethics of the University of Zagreb, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (Permit Number: 640-01/06-17/30; 61-01/13906-03), and informed owner consent was granted in each case. There were 8 females and 17 males, aged from 2 months to 10 years (average age 3 years and 1 month). Eleven dogs were mixed breed, 5 were Labrador Retriever, 2 were Croatian Sheepdog, and one dog of Golden Retriever, American Staffordshire Terrier, German Shepard, Doberman, Alpine Dachsbracke and Alaskan Malamute. Blood was collected on the day of admission (day 0, labeled as B0), and subsequently on the 1st (day 1, B1) and 6th day (day 6, B6) of treatment. The diagnosis of babesiosis was confirmed by demonstration of the parasites within the infected erythrocytes in thin blood smears stained with MayGrnwald-Giemsa stain. Subspecies were confirmed using PCR (polymerase chain reaction). One dose (6 mg/kg) of imidocarb dipropionat (Imizol 12%, Schering-Plough) was administered to all the dogs subcutaneously on the day of admission. All dogs survived and successfully recovered from disease. Serum was also collected from 10 healthy dogs and they were control group (labeled as C). These dogs were considered healthy based on physical examination and haematological and biochemical data. All dogs were mixed breed, aged from 2 to 10 years, 6 of the (...truncated)