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Calomeno SS, Freitas Santi TD, Barbosa B, Weber SH, Oliveira TM, Machado GF, Michelotto PV. Influence of climatic changes on respiratory health in a teaching herd of outdoor-housed horses. Vet J 2024; 307:106198. [PMID: 39059695 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Horses maintained outdoors may experience a lower-allergenic environment compared to their stabled counterparts. This study hypothesizes that climatic changes in southern Brazil can influence respiratory status. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the lower airways of 17 horses from a teaching herd in southern Brazil, maintained outdoors, during winter, spring, and summer. Except for one mare with a history of severe asthma, all horses were considered healthy and underwent a physical examination. Airway endoscopic evaluation included scoring for tracheal mucus (0-5) and bronchial septum thickness (1-5). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected at three time points, while bronchial septum biopsies were performed during spring and summer for airway epithelial investigation. Data analysis involved repeated measures ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests (p < 0.05). Tracheal mucus score and septal thickness did not differ across investigation periods. In BALF cytology, the mean percentage of neutrophils was higher in spring than summer (7.9 ± 13.4 % vs. 4.5 ± 11.7 %, P = 0.037), and eosinophil count was higher in winter than spring (0.64 ± 1.29 % vs. 0.03 ± 0.13 %, P = 0.034) and summer (0.64 ± 1.29 % vs. 0.14 ± 0.60 %, P = 0.023). Histopathological observations showed no differences between time points, and no correlations were observed with BALF analyses (P > 0.05). This study demonstrates that, even in an outdoor environment, horses' airways exhibit cytological modifications associated with different seasons, indicating a need for deeper investigation; endobronchial biopsy did not contribute to the clinical diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Strano Calomeno
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Thasla de Freitas Santi
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Bianca Barbosa
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Saulo Henrique Weber
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Tiago Marcelo Oliveira
- Internal Medicine Departament, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva 87, São Paulo 05508270, Brazil
| | - Gisele Fabrino Machado
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araçatuba, R. Clóvis Pestana 793, São Paulo 16050-680, Brazil
| | - Pedro Vicente Michelotto
- Graduate Program in Animal Science, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155, Prado Velho, Curitiba, Paraná 80215-901, Brazil.
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Höglund N, Rossi H, Javela HM, Oikari S, Nieminen P, Mustonen AM, Airas N, Kärjä V, Mykkänen A. The amount of hyaluronic acid and airway remodelling increase with the severity of inflammation in neutrophilic equine asthma. BMC Vet Res 2024; 20:273. [PMID: 38918797 PMCID: PMC11197223 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-024-04136-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Equine asthma (EA) is a chronic lower airway inflammation that leads to structural and functional changes. Hyaluronic acid (HA) has crucial functions in the extracellular matrix homeostasis and inflammatory mediator activity. HA concentration in the lungs increases in several human airway diseases. However, its associations with naturally occurring EA and airway remodelling have not been previously studied. Our aim was to investigate the association of equine neutrophilic airway inflammation (NAI) severity, airway remodelling, and HA concentration in horses with naturally occurring EA. We hypothesised that HA concentration and airway remodelling would increase with the severity of NAI. HA concentrations of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid supernatant (SUP) and plasma of 27 neutrophilic EA horses, and 28 control horses were measured. Additionally, remodelling and HA staining intensity were assessed from endobronchial biopsies from 10 moderate NAI horses, 5 severe NAI horses, and 15 control horses. RESULTS The HA concentration in SUP was higher in EA horses compared to controls (p = 0.007). Plasma HA concentrations were not different between the groups. In the endobronchial biopsies, moderate NAI horses showed epithelial hyperplasia and inflammatory cell infiltrate, while severe NAI horses also showed fibrosis and desquamation of the epithelium. The degree of remodelling was higher in severe NAI compared to moderate NAI (p = 0.048) and controls (p = 0.016). Intense HA staining was observed in bronchial cell membranes, basement membranes, and connective tissue without significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSION The release of HA to the airway lumen increases in naturally occurring neutrophilic EA without clear changes in its tissue distribution, and significant airway remodelling only develops in severe NAI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Höglund
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland.
| | - Heini Rossi
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Hanna-Maaria Javela
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Sanna Oikari
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
| | - Petteri Nieminen
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
| | - Anne-Mari Mustonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, FI-70211, Finland
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, FI-80101, Finland
| | - Niina Airas
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
| | - Vesa Kärjä
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, FI-70210, Finland
| | - Anna Mykkänen
- Department of Equine and Small Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, FI-00014, Finland
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Mainguy-Seers S, Beaudry F, Fernandez-Prada C, Martin JG, Lavoie JP. Neutrophil Extracellular Vesicles and Airway Smooth Muscle Proliferation in the Natural Model of Severe Asthma in Horses. Cells 2022; 11:3347. [PMID: 36359743 PMCID: PMC9653818 DOI: 10.3390/cells11213347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contribute to intercellular communication through the transfer of their rich cargo to recipient cells. The EVs produced by LPS-stimulated neutrophils from healthy humans and horses increase airway smooth muscle (ASM) proliferation, but the roles of neutrophil EVs in asthma are largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to determine whether neutrophil-derived EVs isolated during the remission or exacerbation of asthma influence ASM proliferation differentially. Peripheral blood neutrophils were collected during remission and exacerbation in eight horses affected by severe asthma. The cells were cultured (±LPS), and their EVs were isolated by ultracentrifugation and characterized by laser scattering microscopy and proteomic analysis. The proliferation of ASM co-incubated with EVs was monitored in real time by electrical impedance. Two proteins were significantly upregulated during disease exacerbation in neutrophil EVs (MAST4 and Lrch4), while LPS stimulation greatly altered the proteomic profile. Those changes involved the upregulation of neutrophil degranulation products, including proteases known to induce myocyte proliferation. In agreement with the proteomic results, EVs from LPS-stimulated neutrophils increased ASM proliferation, without an effect of the disease status. The inhalation of environmental LPS could contribute to asthma pathogenesis by activating neutrophils and leading to ASM hyperplasia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Mainguy-Seers
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Francis Beaudry
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Christopher Fernandez-Prada
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
| | - James G. Martin
- Meakins Christie Laboratories, Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, QC H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada
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Bizzotto D, Paganini S, Stucchi L, Palmisano Avallone M, Ramirez EM, Pompilio PP, Ferrucci F, Lavoie JP, Dellaca RL. A portable fan-based device for evaluating lung function in horses by the forced oscillation technique. Physiol Meas 2022; 43. [PMID: 35120344 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ac522e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The assessment of lung mechanics in horses is nowadays based on invasive methods that may require sedation. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) allows the non-invasive assessment of respiratory mechanics during spontaneous breathing, but current devices are complex, cumbersome, expensive, and difficult to be applied in horses. APPROACH We developed a portable FOT device based on a novel approach in which the pressure waveforms are generated by a servo-controlled ducted fan. This new approach allows the design of devices that are more sturdy, compact, and portable compared to already existing approaches. The prototype includes 1) a small microcontroller-based electronic board for controlling the fan and measuring flow and pressure and 2) an optimized data processing algorithm. MAIN RESULTS This device provides a maximum error of 0.06 cmH2O∙s/L and 0.15 cmH2O∙s/L in measuring respiratory resistance and reactance during in-vitro validation. A pilot study was also performed on three healthy horses and three horses with severe equine asthma (SEA) and it demonstrated good tolerability and feasibility of the new device. Total respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and reactance (Xrs) significantly differed (p<0.05) between groups. At 5Hz, Rrs was 0.66±0.02 cmH2O∙s/L and 0.94±0.07 cmH2O∙s/L in healthy and in SEA, respectively. Xrs 0.38±0.02 cmH2O∙s/L and -0.27±0.05 cmH2O∙s/L. SIGNIFICANCE This novel approach for applying FOT allowed the development of a small, affordable and portable device for the non-invasive evaluation of respiratory mechanics in spontaneously breathing horses, providing a useful new tool for improving veterinary respiratory medicine. Moreover, our results provide supporting evidence of the value of this novel approach for developing portable FOT devices also for applications in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Bizzotto
- DEIB, Politecnico di Milano Dipartimento di Elettronica Informazione e Bioingegneria, Via Giuseppe Colombo, 40, Milano, 20133, ITALY
| | - Stefano Paganini
- DEIB, Politecnico di Milano Dipartimento di Elettronica Informazione e Bioingegneria, Via Giuseppe Colombo, 40, Milano, Milano, 20133, ITALY
| | - Luca Stucchi
- Equine Sports Medicine Lab (ESM-Lab), Università degli Studi di Milano Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi LO, Lodi, Lombardia, 26900, ITALY
| | - Matteo Palmisano Avallone
- DEIB, Politecnico di Milano Dipartimento di Elettronica Informazione e Bioingegneria, Via Giuseppe Colombo, 40, Milano, Milano, 20133, ITALY
| | - Esther Millares Ramirez
- Equine Asthma Laboratory, Université de Montréal Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, J2S 7C6, CANADA
| | - Pasquale P Pompilio
- Restech srl, Via Melchiorre Gioia, 61, 20124 Milano MI, Milano, 20124, ITALY
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Equine Sports Medicine Lab (ESM-Lab), Università degli Studi di Milano Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Via dell'Università, 6, 26900 Lodi LO, Lodi, Lombardia, 26900, ITALY
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Equine Asthma Laboratory, Université de Montréal Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, 3200 Rue Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada, Saint Hyacinthe, Quebec, J2S 2M2, CANADA
| | - Raffaele L Dellaca
- DEIB, Politecnico di Milano Dipartimento di Elettronica e Informazione, Via Giuseppe Colombo, 40, Milano, Milano, Lombardia, 20133, ITALY
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Tentative study on radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty. Respir Med Case Rep 2022; 36:101571. [PMID: 35036303 PMCID: PMC8749159 DOI: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2021.101571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim We aimed to observe the clinical practicing value of radial endobronchial ultrasonography evaluating airway wall thickness before and after bronchial thermoplasty. Methods We selected two patients who received bronchial thermoplasty in our hospital. We measured the thickness of each segmental airway wall of each patient by radial endobronchial ultrasonography, and observed the difference before and after the therapy. All the treatments and measurement were performed by a designated bronchoscopist and the locations and depths of the ultrasound probe were relatively fixed, to reduce the operational error. Results In both two patients, the mean thicknesses of all segmental airway walls was 4.9 ± 0.7 mm before the first session of BT; the mean thickness was 4.13 ± 0.92 mm before the second session; the mean thickness was 2.69 ± 0.68 mm before the third session; the mean thickness was 2.7 ± 0.5 mm in the follow-up measurement at six months after the BT treatment; all thicknesses of airway wall were significantly reduced comparing with those before treatment; all the thicknesses of the airway walls were stable without any tendency of thickening after six months. Although the airways in the right middle lobe of both two patients were not received BT, their thicknesses were also decreased comparing with those before the treatment; both upper lobes bronchus of both two patients were not activated in the first and second sessions, but their thicknesses were also decreased at the third measurement. Conclusion Radial endobronchial ultrasonography is a simple and practical method to measure the thickness of patient's airway wall. Bronchial thermoplasty can effectively reduce the thickness of airway wall. It can reduce airway smooth muscle by direct activation and other possible more complicated mechanism, which need further research.
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Bessonnat A, Hélie P, Grimes C, Lavoie JP. Airway remodeling in horses with mild and moderate asthma. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 36:285-291. [PMID: 34877706 PMCID: PMC8783337 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a remodeling of the central airways in horses with severe asthma but whether a similar process occurs in horses with the mild or moderate asthma (MMA) is unknown. Objectives To evaluate lesions affecting the central airways of horses with MMA. Animals Twelve horses with MMA and 8 control horses. Methods Case‐control retrospective study of horses classified as MMA affected or controls based on history and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology. Endobronchial biopsies were analyzed using histomorphometry and a semiquantitative histologic scoring system. Results Histomorphometry identified epithelial hyperplasia (47 μm2/μm [34‐57 μm2/μm]; P = .02), a thickened lamina propria (166 μm [73‐336 μm]; P = .04), and smooth muscle fibrosis (42% [33%‐78%]; P = .04) in horses with MMA when compared to controls horses (24 μm2/μm [21‐80 μm2/μm]; 76 μm [36‐176 μm]; and 33% [26%‐52%], respectively). The semiquantitative score results indicated, in horses with MMA, the presence of epithelial hyperplasia (7 of the 12 horses with MMA and only 1 of the 8 control horses had a score of 1/1), and submucosal inflammatory leucocytes in the central airway (11 of the 12 horses with MMA and only 4 of the 8 control horses had a score ≥ 1/2). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance Tissue remodeling of the bronchial lamina propria, epithelium, and smooth muscle was present in horses with MMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amandine Bessonnat
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pierre Hélie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Carolyn Grimes
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Pathology and Microbiology, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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Dupuis-Dowd F, Lavoie JP. Airway smooth muscle remodelling in mild and moderate equine asthma. Equine Vet J 2021; 54:865-874. [PMID: 34529300 DOI: 10.1111/evj.13514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Airway smooth muscle remodelling in severe equine asthma includes both thickening of airway smooth muscle, resulting from hyperplasia and hypertrophy, and changes in contractility. However, airway smooth muscle changes have not been studied in milder forms of the disease. OBJECTIVES To investigate bronchial smooth muscle remodelling in horses with mild and moderate asthma (MEA). STUDY DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. METHODS The endobronchial biopsies from 18 horses with MEA referred to the Equine Hospital of the Université de Montréal and from seven healthy age-matched control horses were studied. The diagnosis was based on clinical signs and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology. Airway smooth muscle cell proliferation was measured by quantifying the expression of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) using immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry. The expression of the (+)insert smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (SMMHC) isoform, an hypercontractile protein, was assessed by RT-qPCR. RESULTS Expression of the (+)insert SMMHC isoform in airway smooth muscle was approximately 1.5 times greater in horses with MEA compared with controls (P = .02, mean difference 0.01). Although there were no differences between groups in the proliferation of airway smooth muscle cells (P = .4) or myocyte density (P = .3, mean difference -0.6), the percentage of proliferating myocytes was correlated to pulmonary neutrophilia in horses with neutrophilic inflammation (P = .01, r = .80) and to the expression of the (+)insert SMMHC isoform in asthmatic horses (P = .03, r = .66). MAIN LIMITATIONS Small cohorts of horses were studied, and conclusions are limited to the central airways. CONCLUSIONS These results confirm the presence of bronchial smooth muscle remodelling in mild forms of equine asthma and pave the way for the development of biomarkers to measure asthma progression and response to therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florence Dupuis-Dowd
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Canada
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Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:450. [PMID: 32903600 PMCID: PMC7438831 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The 2019 Havemeyer Workshop brought together researchers and clinicians to discuss the latest information on Equine Asthma and provide future research directions. Current clinical and molecular asthma phenotypes and endotypes in humans were discussed and compared to asthma phenotypes in horses. The role of infectious and non-infectious causes of equine asthma, genetic factors and proposed disease pathophysiology were reviewed. Diagnostic limitations were evident by the limited number of tests and biomarkers available to field practitioners. The participants emphasized the need for more accessible, standardized diagnostics that would help identify specific phenotypes and endotypes in order to create more targeted treatments or management strategies. One important outcome of the workshop was the creation of the Equine Asthma Group that will facilitate communication between veterinary practice and research communities through published and easily accessible guidelines and foster research collaboration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent Couetil
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jacqueline M Cardwell
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Renaud Leguillette
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Melissa Mazan
- Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, Grafton, MA, United States
| | - Eric Richard
- LABÉO (Frank Duncombe), Normandie Université, UniCaen, Caen, France
| | - Dorothee Bienzle
- Department of Pathobiology, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Michela Bullone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Vetsuisse Faculty, Institut Suisse de Médecine Équine (ISME), University of Bern and Agroscope, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Kathleen Ivester
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - James Martin
- Meakins Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Gabriel Moran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Artur Niedźwiedź
- Department of Internal Diseases With Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Nicola Pusterla
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, United States
| | - Cyprianna Swiderski
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
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Bullone M, Lavoie JP. The equine asthma model of airway remodeling: from a veterinary to a human perspective. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 380:223-236. [PMID: 31713728 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03117-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Human asthma is a complex and heterogeneous disorder characterized by chronic inflammation, bronchospasm and airway remodeling. The latter is a major determinant of the structure-function relationship of the respiratory system and likely contributes to the progressive and accelerated decline in lung function observed in patients over time. Corticosteroids are the cornerstone of asthma treatment. While their action on inflammation and lung function is well characterized, their effect on remodeling remains largely unknown. An important hindrance to the study of airway remodeling as a major focus in asthma research is the lack of reliable non-invasive biomarkers. In consequence, the physiologic and clinical consequences of airway wall thickening and altered composition are not well understood. In this perspective, equine asthma provides a unique and ethical (non-terminal) preclinical model for hypothesis testing and generation. Severe equine asthma is a spontaneous disease affecting adult horses characterized by recurrent and reversible episodes of disease exacerbations. It is associated with bronchoalveolar neutrophilic inflammation, bronchospasm, and excessive mucus secretion. Severe equine asthma is also characterized by bronchial remodeling, which is only partially improved by prolonged period of disease remission induced by therapy or antigen avoidance strategies. This review will focus on the similarities and differences of airway remodeling in equine and human asthma, on the strengths and limitations of the equine model, and on the challenges the model has to face to keep up with human asthma research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bullone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, Università degli Studi di Torino, Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Montreal, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada.
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Tanquerel L, Fillion-Bertrand G, Lavoie JP, Leclere M. Effects of magnesium sulfate infusion on clinical signs and lung function of horses with severe asthma. Am J Vet Res 2018; 79:664-673. [PMID: 30085859 DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.79.6.664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether MgSO4 solution administered IV would improve the clinical signs and lung function of horses with severe asthma and potentiate the effects of salbutamol inhalation in those horses. ANIMALS 6 adult horses with severe asthma. PROCEDURES Asthmatic horses were used in 3 crossover design experiments (6 treatments/horse). Clinical scores for nasal flaring and the abdominal component associated with breathing and lung function were determined before and after administration of salbutamol (800 μg, by inhalation), MgSO4 solution (2.2 mg/kg/min, IV, over 20 minutes), and combined MgSO4-salbutamol treatment. The data were collected during experimental procedures to assess salbutamol inhalation versus mock inhalation, MgSO4 infusion versus infusion of saline (NaCl) solution (adjusted to the same osmolarity as the MgSO4 solution), and the combined MgSO4-salbutamol treatment versus salbutamol inhalation alone. RESULTS Infusion of MgSO4 significantly improved clinical scores when administered alone or in combination with salbutamol inhalation. With the combination treatment, lung function improved, albeit not significantly. Tidal volume also increased following combined MgSO4-salbutamol treatment. Salbutamol alone significantly improved lung function, whereas saline solution administration and a mock inhalation procedure had no effect on the studied variables. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that MgSO4 infusion alone or in combination with salbutamol inhalation improved the clinical signs of severely asthmatic horses. The effects of MgSO4 were not associated with significant lung function improvement, which suggested that the changes observed were attributable to alterations in the horses' breathing patterns. Infusion of MgSO4 solution at the studied dose offers little advantage over currently used medications for the treatment of severe equine asthma.
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11
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Bullone M, Lavoie JP. Science-in-brief: Equine asthma diagnosis: Beyond bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. Equine Vet J 2018; 49:263-265. [PMID: 28387029 DOI: 10.1111/evj.12679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M Bullone
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - J-P Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
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Bullone M, Vargas A, Elce Y, Martin JG, Lavoie JP. Fluticasone/salmeterol reduces remodelling and neutrophilic inflammation in severe equine asthma. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8843. [PMID: 28821845 PMCID: PMC5562887 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09414-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthmatic airways are inflamed and undergo remodelling. Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting β2-agonist combinations are more effective than inhaled corticosteroid monotherapy in controlling disease exacerbations, but their effect on airway remodelling and inflammation remains ill-defined. This study evaluates the contribution of inhaled fluticasone and salmeterol, alone or combined, to the reversal of bronchial remodelling and inflammation. Severely asthmatic horses (6 horses/group) were treated with fluticasone, salmeterol, fluticasone/salmeterol, or with antigen avoidance for 12 weeks. Lung function, central and peripheral airway remodelling, and bronchoalveolar inflammation were assessed. Fluticasone/salmeterol and fluticasone monotherapy decreased peripheral airway smooth muscle remodelling after 12 weeks (p = 0.007 and p = 0.02, respectively). On average, a 30% decrease was observed with both treatments. In central airways, fluticasone/salmeterol reversed extracellular matrix remodelling after 12 weeks, both within the lamina propria (decreased thickness, p = 0.005) and within the smooth muscle layer (p = 0.004). Only fluticasone/salmeterol decreased bronchoalveolar neutrophilia (p = 0.03) to the same extent as antigen avoidance already after 8 weeks. In conclusion, this study shows that fluticasone/salmeterol combination decreases extracellular matrix remodelling in central airways and intraluminal neutrophilia. Fluticasone/salmeterol and fluticasone monotherapy equally reverse peripheral airway smooth muscle remodelling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bullone
- Université de Montréal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2, Quebec, Canada
| | - Amandine Vargas
- Université de Montréal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yvonne Elce
- Université de Montréal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2, Quebec, Canada.,University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Campus, EH25 9RG, United Kingdom
| | - James G Martin
- McGill University, Meakins Christie Laboratories, McGill University Health Center Research Institute, 1001 Decarie Blvd, Montreal, H4A 3J1, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Université de Montréal, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, 3200 rue Sicotte, St-Hyacinthe, J2S 2M2, Quebec, Canada.
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13
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Mailhot-Larouche S, Lachance M, Bullone M, Henry C, Dandurand RJ, Boulet LP, Laviolette M, King GG, Farah CS, Bossé Y. Assessment of Airway Distensibility by the Forced Oscillation Technique: Reproducible and Potentially Simplifiable. Front Physiol 2017; 8:223. [PMID: 28446881 PMCID: PMC5388760 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.00223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A non-invasive index of airway distensibility is required to track airway remodeling over time. The forced oscillation technique (FOT) provides such an index by measuring the change in respiratory system conductance at 5 Hz over the corresponding change in lung volume (ΔGrs5/ΔVL). To become useful clinically, this method has to be reproducible and easy to perform. The series of breathing maneuvers required to measure distensibility would be greatly facilitated if the difficulty of breathing below functional residual capacity (FRC) could be precluded and the number of maneuvers could be reduced. The distensibility at lung volumes below FRC is also reduced by several confounders, suggesting that excluding data points below FRC should provide a better surrogate for airway remodeling. The objectives of this study were to investigate the reproducibility of airway distensibility measured by FOT and to assess whether the method could be simplified to increase feasibility. Distensibility was measured at three separate occasions in 13 healthy volunteers. At each visit, three deflationary maneuvers were performed, each consisting of tidal breathing from total lung capacity (TLC) to residual volume by slowly decreasing the end-expiratory volume on each subsequent breath. Distensibility was calculated by using either all data points from TLC to residual volume (RV) or only data points from TLC to FRC for either all three or only the first two deflationary maneuvers. Intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to assess reproducibility and Bland-Altman analyses were used to assess the level of agreement between the differently calculated values of distensibility. The results indicate that distensibility calculated using all data points is reproducible (ICC = 0.64). Using data points from TLC to FRC slightly improved reproducibility (ICC = 0.68) and increased distensibility by 19.4%, which was expected as distensibility above FRC should not be affected by confounders. Using only data points within the first two maneuvers did not affect reproducibility when tested between TLC and FRC (ICC = 0.66). We conclude that a valuable measure of airway distensibility could potentially be obtained with only two deflationary maneuvers that do not require breathing below FRC. This simplified method would increase feasibility without compromising reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mélanie Lachance
- Department of Medicine, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université LavalQuebec, QC, Canada
| | - Michela Bullone
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of TurinTurin, Italy
| | - Cyndi Henry
- Department of Medicine, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université LavalQuebec, QC, Canada
| | - Ronald J Dandurand
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, FOT Unit, Centre for Innovative Medicine, Montreal Chest Institute, McGill University Health Centre and McGill UniversityMontreal, QC, Canada
| | - Louis-Philippe Boulet
- Department of Medicine, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université LavalQuebec, QC, Canada
| | - Michel Laviolette
- Department of Medicine, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université LavalQuebec, QC, Canada
| | - Gregory G King
- Woolcock Institute of Medical ResearchSydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of SydneySydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Royal North Shore HospitalSydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Claude S Farah
- Woolcock Institute of Medical ResearchSydney, NSW, Australia.,Sydney Medical School, University of SydneySydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Respiratory Medicine, Concord HospitalSydney, NSW, Australia.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie UniversitySydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ynuk Bossé
- Department of Medicine, Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, Université LavalQuebec, QC, Canada
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14
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Bullone M, Hélie P, Joubert P, Lavoie JP. Development of a Semiquantitative Histological Score for the Diagnosis of Heaves Using Endobronchial Biopsy Specimens in Horses. J Vet Intern Med 2016; 30:1739-1746. [PMID: 27527123 PMCID: PMC5032871 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.14556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Remodeling of the peripheral airways persists during the asymptomatic phase of heaves. Assessing the histology of large bronchi could facilitate the diagnosis of heaves during remission of the disease. Hypothesis Airway inflammation and remodeling in endobronchial biopsy (EBB) specimens differentiate horses with heaves from controls, independently of their clinical status (exacerbation or remission). Animals Fourteen healthy horses and 24 horses with heaves. Methods A 14‐point scoring system assessing central bronchial wall inflammation and remodeling was developed. The score was validated by 2 pathologists using specimens obtained from 18 horses (6 controls, 6 with heaves exacerbation, and 6 with heaves remission) in which lung function had been assessed with impulse oscillometry. Clinical and research application of the score was evaluated using biopsy specimens obtained from 20 additional horses (8 controls, 6 with heaves exacerbation, and 6 with heaves remission). Results The score was repeatable (interclass correlation coefficient = 69%). It differentiated horses with heaves in exacerbation (mean ± SD: 6.2 ± 2.2) from those in remission (4.0 ± 1.0) and controls (3.6 ± 1.7, P < 0.0001). The histological scores of horses with heaves correlated with the ratio of respiratory resistance (R) at 5 and 10 Hz (R5 : R10 ratio, r = 0.65, P = 0.03), a parameter assessing airway obstruction. Conclusions and Clinical Significance The proposed histological scoring system correlates with the degree of airway obstruction measured by impulse oscillometry. However, it does not discriminate horses with heaves in remission from controls. Evaluation of EBB specimens might be considered in future research and clinical studies of respiratory diseases in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Bullone
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - P Hélie
- Department of Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - P Joubert
- Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - J-P Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada.
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15
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Herteman N, Bullone M, Lavoie JP. Endoscopic Evaluation of Angiogenesis in the Large Airways of Horses with Heaves Using Narrow Band Imaging. J Vet Intern Med 2016; 30:671-4. [PMID: 26926661 PMCID: PMC4913588 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.13890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2015] [Revised: 12/22/2015] [Accepted: 01/26/2016] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Heaves is a severe debilitating condition of horses, characterized by lower airway inflammation and permanent structural changes of the bronchial wall. Chronic inflammation promotes the formation of new vessels, a phenomenon known as angiogenesis. Narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy is a noninvasive technique that enhances the visualization of submucosal vessels, and commonly is employed for the study of angiogenesis in human patients. Objectives Using NBI, we aimed to determine whether or not the central airways of horses with heaves undergo angiogenesis. Animals Horses with heaves during exacerbation of the disease (n = 5) and healthy controls (n = 6). Methods A library of NBI images was established from previously recorded videoendoscopies. Images were acquired by an operator blinded to horse ID. Images were obtained from 3 sites: 130 from the trachea (14 ± 9.3 [mean ± SD] images per horse with heaves and 10 ± 5.4 from controls; P = .45), 58 from the carina (5.4 ± 3.2 from horses with heaves and 5.2 ± 2.8 fromn controls; P > .99) and 167 from the intermediate bronchi (17.8 ± 6.7 from horses with heaves and 13 ± 5.6 from controls; P = .17). Using dedicated stereology software (NewCAST, Visiopharm; Denmark), the volume density of superficial and deep vessels was calculated blindly by point counting at each site for all horses. Results In the trachea, the volume density of superficial vessels was increased in horses with heaves compared to controls (P = .02). No difference was found between groups for the volume density of both superficial and deep vessels at the carina or intermediate bronchi. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance NBI imaging of the airways was easily performed in standing sedated horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Herteman
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - M Bullone
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
| | - J-P Lavoie
- Département de Sciences Cliniques, Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC, Canada
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16
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Bullone M, Beauchamp G, Godbout M, Martin JG, Lavoie JP. Endobronchial Ultrasound Reliably Quantifies Airway Smooth Muscle Remodeling in an Equine Asthma Model. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0136284. [PMID: 26348727 PMCID: PMC4562526 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0136284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS) revealed differences in the thickness of the layer representing subepithelial tissues (L2) between human asthmatics and controls, but whether this measurement correlates with airway smooth muscle (ASM) remodeling in asthma is unknown. In this study, we sought to determine the ability of EBUS to predict histological ASM remodeling in normal and equine asthmatic airways. We studied 109 isolated bronchi from the lungs of 13 horses. They underwent EBUS examination using a 30 MHz radial probe before being processed for histology. ASM remodeling parameters were evaluated in EBUS images (L2 thickness, L2 area, L2 area/internal perimeter [Pi] and L2 area/Pi2) and histological cuts (ASM area/Pi2), and compared. EBUS was then performed ex vivo on the lungs of 4 horses with heaves, an asthma-like condition of horses, and 7 controls to determine whether central bronchial remodeling could be detected with this technique. An optimized approach was developed based on data variability within airways, subjects, and groups, and then validated in 7 horses (3 controls, 4 with heaves) that underwent EBUS in vivo. L2 area was significantly associated to ASM area in isolated lungs (p<0.0001), in the absence of significant bias related to the airway size. Bronchial size significantly affected EBUS ASM-related parameters, except for L2 area/Pi2. L2 area/Pi2 was increased in the airways of asthmatic horses compared to controls, both ex vivo and in vivo (p<0.05). Bronchial histology confirmed our findings (AASM/Pi2 was increased in asthmatic horses compared to controls, p<0.05). In both horses with heaves and controls, L2 was composed of ASM for the outer 75% of its thickness and by ECM for the remaining inner 25%. In conclusion, EBUS reliably allows assessment of asthma-associated ASM remodeling of central airways in a non-invasive way.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela Bullone
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Guy Beauchamp
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mireille Godbout
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
| | - James G. Martin
- Meakins-Christie Laboratories, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jean-Pierre Lavoie
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Asthma "of horses and men"--how can equine heaves help us better understand human asthma immunopathology and its functional consequences? Mol Immunol 2014; 66:97-105. [PMID: 25547716 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2014] [Revised: 11/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Animal models have been studied to unravel etiological, immunopathological, and genetic attributes leading to asthma. However, while experiments in which the disease is artificially induced have helped discovering biological and molecular pathways leading to allergic airway inflammation, their contribution to the understanding of the causality of the disease has been more limited. Horses naturally suffer from an asthma-like condition called "heaves" which presents sticking similarities with human asthma. It is characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway neutrophilic inflammation, and a predominant Th2 immune response. This model allows one to investigate the role of neutrophils in asthma, which remains contentious, the regulation of chronic neutrophilic inflammation, and their possible implication in pulmonary allergic responses. Furthermore, the pulmonary remodeling features in heaves closely resemble those of human asthma, which makes this model unique to investigate the kinetics, reversibility, as well as the physiological consequences of tissue remodeling. In conclusion, heaves and asthma share common clinical presentation and also important immunological and tissue remodeling features. This makes heaves an ideal model for the discovery of novel pathways implicated in the asthmatic inflammation and associated tissue remodeling.
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