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Mańkowska A, Witkowska D. The Most Common Environmental Risk Factors for Equine Asthma-A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:2062. [PMID: 39061524 PMCID: PMC11273653 DOI: 10.3390/ani14142062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Equine asthma is a popular subject of research. Many factors influencing the methods used to improve the welfare of asthmatic horses remain unclear. This study reviews scientific articles published after 2000 to collect the most important information on the terminology, symptoms, and potential environmental factors influencing the development and course of equine asthma. Our work highlights the impact of environmental factors on the severity of equine asthma and why these factors should be controlled to improve treatment outcomes. The present article provides horse owners and veterinarians with valuable information on how to improve the well-being of horses that are at risk of developing asthma symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Mańkowska
- Department of Animal Welfare and Research, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland;
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Jentsch MC, Keilhaue A, Wagner B, Rhyner C, Lübke S, Karagulyan M, Arnold C, Lohmann KL, Schnabel CL. Aspergillus fumigatus binding IgA and IgG1 are increased in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of horses with neutrophilic asthma. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1406794. [PMID: 38953030 PMCID: PMC11215007 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1406794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Equine asthma (EA) is a common lower airway disease in horses, but whether its pathogenesis is allergic is ambiguous. Extrinsic stimuli like hay dust induce acute exacerbation of clinical signs and sustained local neutrophilic inflammation in susceptible horses. Aspergillus fumigatus is an EA stimulus, but it is unclear if it merely acts as an IgE-provoking allergen. We aimed to comprehensively analyze immunoglobulin (Ig) isotypes in EA, elucidating their binding to different A. fumigatus antigens, and their quantities systemically in serum and locally in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Methods Serum and BALF from healthy horses (HE, n = 18) and horses with mild-moderate asthma (MEA, n = 20) or severe asthma (SEA, n = 24) were compared. Ig isotype (IgG1, IgG3/5, IgG4/7, IgG6, IgA, and IgE) binding to nine antigens (A. fumigatus lysate, and recombinant Asp f 1, Asp f 7, Asp f 8, dipeptidyl-peptidase 5, class II aldolase/adducin domain protein, glucoamylase, beta-hexosaminidase, and peptide hydrolase) was compared by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Total Ig isotype contents were determined by bead-based assays. Results MEA and SEA differed from HE but hardly from each other. Compared to HE, asthmatic horses showed increased anti-A. fumigatus binding of IgG (BALF and serum) and IgA (BALF). Serum and BALF IgE binding and total IgE contents were similar between HE and EA. Single antigens, as well as A. fumigatus lysate, yielded similar Ig binding patterns. Serum and BALF IgG1 binding to all antigens was increased in SEA and to several antigens in MEA. Serum IgG4/7 binding to two antigens was increased in SEA. BALF IgA binding to all antigens was increased in SEA and MEA. Total BALF IgG1 and IgG4/7 contents were increased in SEA, and serum IgG4/7 content was increased in MEA compared to HE. Yet, total isotype contents differentiated EA and HE less clearly than antigen-binding Ig. Discussion A. fumigatus immunogenicity was confirmed without identification of single dominant antigens here. A. fumigatus provoked elevated BALF IgG1 and IgA binding, and these isotypes appear relevant for neutrophilic EA, which does not support allergy. BALF Ig isotype differentiation beyond IgE is crucial for a comprehensive analysis of immune responses to fungi in EA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Christin Jentsch
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Aline Keilhaue
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Claudio Rhyner
- Christine Kühne Center for Allergy, Research, and Education (CK-CARE), Davos, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Davos, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Lübke
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mariam Karagulyan
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Corinna Arnold
- Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Katharina L. Lohmann
- Department for Horses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Christiane L. Schnabel
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Sage SE, Leeb T, Jagannathan V, Gerber V. Single-cell profiling of bronchoalveolar cells reveals a Th17 signature in neutrophilic severe equine asthma. Immunology 2024; 171:549-565. [PMID: 38153159 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13745] [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: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a complex respiratory condition characterized by chronic airway inflammation. It shares many clinical and pathological features with human neutrophilic asthma, making it a valuable model for studying this condition. However, the immune mechanisms driving SEA have remained elusive. Although SEA has been primarily associated with a Th2 response, there have also been reports of Th1, Th17, or mixed-mediated responses. To uncover the elusive immune mechanisms driving SEA, we performed single-cell mRNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on cryopreserved bronchoalveolar cells from 11 Warmblood horses, 5 controls and 6 with SEA. We identified six major cell types, including B cells, T cells, monocytes-macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and mast cells. All cell types exhibited significant heterogeneity, with previously identified and novel cell subtypes. Notably, we observed monocyte-lymphocyte complexes and detected a robust Th17 signature in SEA, with CXCL13 upregulation in intermediate monocytes. Asthmatic horses exhibited expansion of the B-cell population, Th17 polarization of the T-cell populations, and dysregulation of genes associated with T-cell function. Neutrophils demonstrated enhanced migratory capacity and heightened aptitude for neutrophil extracellular trap formation. These findings provide compelling evidence for a predominant Th17 immune response in neutrophilic SEA, driven by dysregulation of monocyte and T-cell genes. The dysregulated genes identified through scRNA-seq have potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for SEA and provide insights into human neutrophilic asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie E Sage
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Tosso Leeb
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vidhya Jagannathan
- Institute of Genetics, Vetsuisse Faculty, Institute of Genetics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
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Leduc L, Costa M, Leclère M. The Microbiota and Equine Asthma: An Integrative View of the Gut-Lung Axis. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:253. [PMID: 38254421 PMCID: PMC10812655 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020253] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Both microbe-microbe and host-microbe interactions can have effects beyond the local environment and influence immunological responses in remote organs such as the lungs. The crosstalk between the gut and the lungs, which is supported by complex connections and intricate pathways, is defined as the gut-lung axis. This review aimed to report on the potential role of the gut-lung gut-lung axis in the development and persistence of equine asthma. We summarized significant determinants in the development of asthma in horses and humans. The article discusses the gut-lung axis and proposes an integrative view of the relationship between gut microbiota and asthma. It also explores therapies for modulating the gut microbiota in horses with asthma. Improving our understanding of the horse gut-lung axis could lead to the development of techniques such as fecal microbiota transplants, probiotics, or prebiotics to manipulate the gut microbiota specifically for improving the management of asthma in horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurence Leduc
- Clinical Sciences Department, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Marcio Costa
- Veterinary Department of Biomedical Sciences, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
| | - Mathilde Leclère
- Clinical Sciences Department, Université de Montréal, Saint-Hyacinthe, QC J2S 2M2, Canada;
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Simões J, Tilley P. Decision Making in Severe Equine Asthma-Diagnosis and Monitoring. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3872. [PMID: 38136909 PMCID: PMC10740644 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Decision making consists of gathering quality data in order to correctly assess a situation and determine the best course of action. This process is a fundamental part of medicine and is what enables practitioners to accurately diagnose diseases and select appropriate treatment protocols. Despite severe equine asthma (SEA) being a highly prevalent lower respiratory disease amongst equids, clinicians still struggle with the optimization of routine diagnostic procedures. The use of several ancillary diagnostic tests has been reported for disease identification and monitoring, but many are only suitable for research purposes or lack practicality for everyday use. The aim of this paper is to assist the equine veterinarian in the process of decision making associated with managing SEA-affected patients. This review will focus on disease diagnosis and monitoring, while also presenting a flow-chart which includes the basic data that the clinician must obtain in order to accurately identify severely asthmatic horses in their everyday routine practice. It is important to note that European and American board-certified specialists on equine internal medicine can provide assistance in the diagnosis and treatment plan of SEA-affected horses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Simões
- Equine Health and Welfare Academic Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Tilley
- CIISA-Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal;
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Schnabel CL, Jentsch MC, Lübke S, Kaiser-Thom S, Gerber V, Vrtala S, Huang HJ, Rhyner C, Wagner B, Hoffmann R, Volke D. Immunoproteomics reveal increased serum IgG3/5 binding to Dermatophagoides and yeast protein antigens in severe equine asthma in a preliminary study. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1293684. [PMID: 38162673 PMCID: PMC10754955 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1293684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Severe equine asthma (SEA) is a common, chronic respiratory disease of horses characterized by hyperreactivity to hay dust which has many similarities to severe neutrophilic asthma in humans. SEA-provoking antigens have not been comprehensively characterized, but molds and mites have been suggested as relevant sources. Here, we identified relevant antigen candidates using immunoproteomics with IgG isotype-binding analyses. Methods Proteins from Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p) were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by immunoblotting (2D immunoblots) resulting in a characteristic pattern of 440 spots. After serum incubation, antibody (Ig)-binding of all Ig (Pan-Ig) and IgG isotypes (type-2-associated IgG3/5, type-1-associated IgG4/7) was quantified per each spot and compared between asthmatic and healthy horses' sera (n=5 per group). Results Ig binding differences were detected in 30 spots. Pan-Ig binding was higher with asthmatics compared to healthy horses' sera on four spots, and IgG3/5 binding was higher on 18 spots. Small IgG4/7 binding differences were detected on 10 spots with higher binding with asthmatics' sera on four but higher binding with healthy horses' sera on six spots. Proteins from the spots with group differences including mite and yeast proteins were identified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. The latter likely originated from the feeding substrate of the Der p culture. Prioritized antigen candidates amongst the proteins identified were Der p 1, Der p 11, group 15 allergens, myosin heavy chain, and uncharacterized Der p proteins. Additionally, yeast enolases, alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and heat shock proteins were prioritized. Eleven antigen candidates were tested for confirmation by ELISAs using the respective proteins separately. Differences in asthmatics vs. healthy horses' serum Ig binding to Der p 1, Der p 18, and three yeast enzymes (enolase, ADH, and PGK) confirmed these as promising antigens of immune responses in SEA. Discussion Antigens with relevance in SEA were newly identified by immunoproteomics, and yeast antigens were considered for SEA for the first time. Serum IgG3/5 binding to relevant antigens was increased in SEA and is a novel feature that points to increased type-2 responses in SEA but requires confirmation of the corresponding cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane L. Schnabel
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maria-Christin Jentsch
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sabrina Lübke
- Institute of Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sarah Kaiser-Thom
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Vinzenz Gerber
- Swiss Institute of Equine Medicine (ISME), Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Susanne Vrtala
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Huey-Jy Huang
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Claudio Rhyner
- Christine Kühne Center for Allergy, Research, and Education (CK-CARE), Davos, Switzerland
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Davos, Switzerland
| | - Bettina Wagner
- Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | - Ralf Hoffmann
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Daniela Volke
- Institute of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Mineralogy and Center for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
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Sad EP, Hess TM, Santos HA, Lessa DAB, Botteon PDTL. Molecular and Cellular Evaluation of Horses With Summer Pasture Associated Asthma Syndrome. J Equine Vet Sci 2023; 131:104928. [PMID: 37730075 DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2023.104928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Equine asthma is an airway disease that affects a large number of horses annually leading to considerable economic losses in the horse industry. Despite advances in research in this area, there is still a lack of information on its etiology and molecular characterization in pasture associated asthma. The objective of the current study was to characterize the inflammatory disease of lower airways in horses maintained on pasture through cytologic and immunologic profile during the summer in a tropical environment by analysis of the gene expression of Th1 cytokines (IFN- λ, IL-8), Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNF-α) in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in healthy and asthma horses on pasture. A group 39 of clinically healthy horses maintained on native pasture and supplemented with concentrate was evaluated by BAL analyzed for differential cellular count and assigned into a control and an asthma group. The gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines was analyzed in the BAL by reverse time PCR (RT-PCR) (IL-1α (alpha), IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, TNF-α alpha and IFN-λ), using β-actin as housekeeping gene. Higher gene expression of IL-1, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IFN-λ in the BAL of asthma horses was found. Current results indicate an increase in Th2, characterizing an allergic inflammatory reaction due to the significant increase in IL-5 in asthmatic horses (10.3 ± 1.13), when compared to the values obtained in normal horses (3.27 ± 0.46). The only down regulated cytokine in the asthma group was TNF-α, suggesting a chronic antigenic reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tanja M Hess
- Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.
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Hamouzová P, Drábková Z, Stehlíková Š, Řeháková K, Čížek P, Dobešová O, Jahn P, Doubek J. Regulatory T lymphocytes and selected cytokines in horses with mild to severe equine asthma and different inflammatory cytology profiles. Res Vet Sci 2023; 163:104998. [PMID: 37651940 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
This study determined Tregs and inflammatory cytokines in BALF and peripheral blood (PB) of adult horses with mild and severe asthma and different BALF cytological inflammation profiles. Horses of diverse breeds with asthma (age range: 2-20 years, n = 24) were divided into groups according to the number of points obtained in a standardized clinical scoring system (mild-moderate equine asthma - MEA, severe equine asthma - SEA) and according to the inflammation type based on cytological finding. Plasma levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, IL-17 and MMP-9 in the BALF were determined by ELISA. Tregs in the BALF and PB were detected by flow cytometry. Horses with SEA were older than horses with MEA and had higher concentrations of MMP-9 in the BALF (P < 0.05). The neutrophilic inflammation group was characterised by higher age, grade of clinical score, percentage of Tregs and MMP-9 concentration in the BALF compared to the mastocytic inflammation group (P < 0.05). Age positively correlated with neutrophils, grade of score, Tregs in the BALF and in the PB. The grade of score positively correlated with MMP-9. The percentage of Tregs in the BALF positively correlated with Tregs in the PB. Tregs in the BALF and PB positively correlated with neutrophils and MMP-9 in the BALF and with IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10 in the plasma. IFN-γ and IL-10 in the plasma positively correlated with the age. The results indicate that the evaluation of selected parameters in PB, the collection of which is less invasive than the collection of BALF, is of potential importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Hamouzová
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Zuzana Drábková
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Šárka Stehlíková
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Kristína Řeháková
- Small Animal Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Petr Čížek
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Olga Dobešová
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Jahn
- Equine Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
| | - Jaroslav Doubek
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic; Small Animal Clinical Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Sciences Brno, Palackého 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic.
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Riihimäki M, Fegraeus K, Nordlund J, Waern I, Wernersson S, Akula S, Hellman L, Raine A. Single-cell transcriptomics delineates the immune cell landscape in equine lower airways and reveals upregulation of FKBP5 in horses with asthma. Sci Rep 2023; 13:16261. [PMID: 37758813 PMCID: PMC10533524 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-43368-4] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine asthma (EA) is a heterogenous, complex disease, with a significant negative impact on horse welfare and performance. EA and human asthma share fundamental similarities, making EA a useful model for studying the disease. One relevant sample type for investigating chronic lung inflammation is bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), which provides a snapshot of the immune cells present in the alveolar space. To investigate the immune cell landscape of the respiratory tract in horses with mild-to-moderate equine asthma (mEA) and healthy controls, single-cell RNA sequencing was conducted on equine BALF cells. We characterized the major immune cell populations present in equine BALF, as well as subtypes thereof. Interestingly, the most significantly upregulated gene discovered in cases of mEA was FKBP5, a chaperone protein involved in regulating the activity of the glucocorticoid receptor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miia Riihimäki
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kim Fegraeus
- Department of Medical Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jessica Nordlund
- Department of Medical Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ida Waern
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Sara Wernersson
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Srinivas Akula
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Hellman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Amanda Raine
- Department of Medical Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Stucchi L, Lo Feudo CM, Ferrucci F. Equine Respiratory Medicine and Cardiology. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2952. [PMID: 37760352 PMCID: PMC10525360 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
In the last few years, the attention regarding the health of the lungs and heart of equine patients has been continuously growing [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Stucchi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Chiara Maria Lo Feudo
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
| | - Francesco Ferrucci
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, Via Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy;
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Simões J, Sales Luís JP, Madeira de Carvalho L, Tilley P. Severely Asthmatic Horses Residing in a Mediterranean Climate Shed a Significantly Lower Number of Parasite Eggs Compared to Healthy Farm Mates. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2928. [PMID: 37760328 PMCID: PMC10525552 DOI: 10.3390/ani13182928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The relationship between helminth infection and allergic diseases has long intrigued the scientific community. This interaction was previously studied in a horse family with high incidence of severe equine asthma and in non-related severely asthmatic horses from equine hospital referrals in Switzerland. Our aim was to determine if this interaction would also be observed in a group of non-related client-owned severely asthmatic horses living in a Mediterranean climate and recruited through a first-opinion veterinarian group. Fecal samples from severe equine asthma-affected and healthy horses living in the same farms and subjected to identical environmental and deworming management were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. Strongyle-type eggs and Cyathostomum sensu latum larvae were the most abundant parasites in the studied population of horses; no significant differences between the groups were observed regarding the types of egg and infective larvae. However, we observed significant differences in the number of eggs and infective larvae per gram of feces shed, as this number was significantly lower in the SEA group than in the healthy horses. This may indicate that severely asthmatic horses have an intrinsic resistance to gastrointestinal helminths. Further studies in a larger population of horses are required to ascertain the immunological mechanisms responsible for these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Simões
- Equine Health and Welfare Academic Division, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Lusófona University, Campo Grande 376, 1749-024 Lisbon, Portugal
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.P.S.L.); (L.M.d.C.); (P.T.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Paulo Sales Luís
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.P.S.L.); (L.M.d.C.); (P.T.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Luís Madeira de Carvalho
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.P.S.L.); (L.M.d.C.); (P.T.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Tilley
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (J.P.S.L.); (L.M.d.C.); (P.T.)
- Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4Animals), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Frippiat T, Art T, Tosi I. Airway Hyperresponsiveness, but Not Bronchoalveolar Inflammatory Cytokines Profiles, Is Modified at the Subclinical Onset of Severe Equine Asthma. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2485. [PMID: 37570294 PMCID: PMC10417247 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152485] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) and inflammation are both observed in human and equine asthma. The aim of this study was to assess the timeline and relationship of both features at the subclinical onset of severe equine asthma (SEA). First, the repeatability of the pulmonary function test (PFT) using impulse oscillometry system, and the methacholine bronchoprovocation test (BPT) were assessed at a 1-day interval on six SEA horses in clinical remission and six control horses. Then, clinical and ancillary tests were performed before and after a 1-week low-dust environmental challenge, including weighted clinical score, respiratory endoscopy, bronchoalveolar fluid cytology, PFT, and BPT. Both PFT and BPT showed acceptable repeatability. No test allowed SEA horses in clinical remission to be distinguished from control, unlike in human patients. Because of the low-dust environment, no significant difference was observed in the results of clinical and conventional ancillary examinations after the challenge. However, SEA horses showed increased AHR after the environmental challenge. At that stage, no signs of inflammation or changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines profiles (quantification and gene expression) were observed, suggesting AHR is present at an earlier stage of equine asthma than airway inflammation. This feature indicates SEA could present in a different disease pathway than neutrophilic human asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thibault Frippiat
- Equine Sports Medicine Centre, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium
- Sportpaardenarts–Equine Sports Medicine, 1250AD Laren, The Netherlands
| | - Tatiana Art
- Equine Sports Medicine Centre, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium
| | - Irene Tosi
- Equine Sports Medicine Centre, FARAH Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, 4000 Liege, Belgium
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Klier J, Fuchs S, Winter G, Gehlen H. Inhalative Nanoparticulate CpG Immunotherapy in Severe Equine Asthma: An Innovative Therapeutic Concept and Potential Animal Model for Human Asthma Treatment. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12162087. [PMID: 36009677 PMCID: PMC9405334 DOI: 10.3390/ani12162087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Severe equine asthma is the most common globally widespread non-infectious equine respiratory disease (together with its mild and moderate form), which is associated with exposure to hay dust and mold spores, has certain similarities to human asthma, and continues to represent a therapeutic problem. Immunomodulatory DNA sequences (CpG) bound to nanoparticles were successfully administered by inhalation to severe asthmatic horses in several studies. It was possible to demonstrate a significant, sustained, one-to-eight-week improvement in important clinical parameters: partial oxygen pressure in the blood, quantity and viscosity of tracheal mucus secretion in the airways, and the amount of inflammatory cells in the respiratory tracts of severe asthmatic horses. The immunotherapy with CpG is performed independent of specific allergens. At an immunological level, the treatment leads to decreases in allergic and inflammatory parameters. This innovative therapeutic concept thus opens new perspectives in severe equine asthma treatment and possibly also in human asthma treatment. Abstract Severe equine asthma is the most common globally widespread non-infectious equine respiratory disease (together with its mild and moderate form), which is associated with exposure to hay dust and mold spores, has certain similarities to human asthma, and continues to represent a therapeutic problem. Immunomodulatory CpG-ODN, bound to gelatin nanoparticles as a drug delivery system, were successfully administered by inhalation to severe equine asthmatic patients in several studies. It was possible to demonstrate a significant, sustained, and allergen-independent one-to-eight-week improvement in key clinical parameters: the arterial partial pressure of oxygen, the quantity and viscosity of tracheal mucus, and neutrophilic inflammatory cells in the respiratory tracts of the severe equine asthmatic subjects. At the immunological level, an upregulation of the regulatory antiallergic and anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 as well as a downregulation of the proallergic IL-4 and proinflammatory IFN-γ in the respiratory tracts of the severe equine asthmatic patients were identified in the treatment groups. CD4+ T lymphocytes in the respiratory tracts of the asthmatic horses were demonstrated to downregulate the mRNA expression of Tbet and IL-8. Concentrations of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and -9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-2 were significantly decreased directly after the treatment as well as six weeks post-treatment. This innovative therapeutic concept thus opens new perspectives in the treatment of severe equine asthma and possibly also that of human asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Klier
- Equine Clinic, Centre for Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 85764 Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Sebastian Fuchs
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Gerhard Winter
- Pharmaceutical Technology and Biopharmaceutics, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Heidrun Gehlen
- Equine Clinic, Surgery and Radiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, 14163 Berlin, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-30-838-62299; Fax: +49-30-838-4-62529
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Janssen P, Tosi I, Hego A, Maréchal P, Marichal T, Radermecker C. Neutrophil Extracellular Traps Are Found in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluids of Horses With Severe Asthma and Correlate With Asthma Severity. Front Immunol 2022; 13:921077. [PMID: 35911691 PMCID: PMC9326094 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.921077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthma encompasses a spectrum of heterogenous immune-mediated respiratory disorders sharing a similar clinical pattern characterized by cough, wheeze and exercise intolerance. In horses, equine asthma can be subdivided into severe or moderate asthma according to clinical symptoms and the extent of airway neutrophilic inflammation. While severe asthmatic horses are characterized by an elevated neutrophilic inflammation of the lower airways, cough, dyspnea at rest and high mucus secretion, horses with moderate asthma show a milder neutrophilic inflammation, exhibit intolerance to exercise but no labored breathing at rest. Yet, the physiopathology of different phenotypes of equine asthma remains poorly understood and there is a need to elucidate the underlying mechanisms tailoring those phenotypes in order to improve clinical management and elaborate novel therapeutic strategies. In this study, we sought to quantify the presence of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of moderate or severe asthmatic horses and healthy controls, and assessed whether NETs correlated with disease severity. To this end, we evaluated the amounts of NETs by measuring cell-free DNA and MPO-DNA complexes in BALF supernatants or by quantifying NETs release by BALF cells by confocal microscopy. We were able to unequivocally identify elevated NETs levels in BALF of severe asthmatic horses as compared to healthy controls or moderate asthmatic horses. Moreover, we provided evidence that BALF NETs release was a specific feature seen in severe equine asthma, as opposed to moderate asthma, and correlated with disease severity. Finally, we showed that NETs could act as a predictive factor for severe equine asthma. Our study thus uniquely identifies NETs in BALF of severe asthmatic horses using three distinct methods and supports the idea that moderate and severe equine asthma do not rely on strictly similar pathophysiological mechanisms. Our data also suggest that NETs represent a relevant biomarker, a putative driver and a potential therapeutic target in severe asthma disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Janssen
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, GIGA Institute, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Irene Tosi
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Hego
- In Vitro Imaging Platform, GIGA Institute, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Pauline Maréchal
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, GIGA Institute, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Thomas Marichal
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, GIGA Institute, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
| | - Coraline Radermecker
- Laboratory of Immunophysiology, GIGA Institute, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Liège University, Liège, Belgium
- *Correspondence: Coraline Radermecker,
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