Anderson, James R 
ORCID: 0000-0003-0489-7997, Phelan, Marie M, Caamano-Gutierrez, Eva ORCID: 0000-0001-7737-5941, Clegg, Peter D, Rubio-Martinez, Luis M and Peffers, Mandy J ORCID: 0000-0001-6979-0440
(2025)
Metabolomic and proteomic stratification of equine osteoarthritis
EQUINE VETERINARY JOURNAL, 57 (5).
pp. 1204-1218.
ISSN 0425-1644, 2042-3306
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Equine Veterinary Journal - 2025 - Anderson - Metabolomic and proteomic stratification of equine osteoarthritis.pdf - Open Access published version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (1MB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: Equine osteoarthritis (OA) is predominantly diagnosed through clinical examination and radiography, leading to detection only after significant joint pathology. The pathogenesis of OA remains unclear and while many medications modify the disease's inflammatory components, no curative or reversal treatments exist. Identifying differentially abundant metabolites and proteins correlated with osteoarthritis severity could improve early diagnosis, track disease progression, and evaluate responses to interventions. Objectives: To identify molecular markers of osteoarthritis severity based on histological and macroscopic grading. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Post-mortem synovial fluid was collected from 58 Thoroughbred racehorse joints and 83 joints from mixed breeds. Joints were histologically and macroscopically scored and categorised by OA and synovitis grade. Synovial fluid nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomic and mass spectrometry proteomic analyses were performed, individually and combined. Results: In Thoroughbreds, synovial fluid concentrations of metabolites 2-aminobutyrate, alanine and creatine were elevated for higher OA grades, while glutamate was reduced for both Thoroughbreds and mixed breeds. In mixed breeds, concentrations of three uncharacterised proteins, lipopolysaccharide binding protein and immunoglobulin kappa constant were lower for higher OA grades; concentrations of an uncharacterised protein were higher for OA grade 1 only, and apolipoprotein A1 concentrations were higher for OA grades 1 and 2 compared with lower grades. For Thoroughbreds, gelsolin concentrations were lower for higher OA grades, and afamin was lower at a higher synovitis grade. Correlation analyses of combined metabolomics and proteomics datasets revealed 58 and 32 significant variables for Thoroughbreds and mixed breeds, respectively, with correlations from −0.48 to 0.42 and −0.44 to 0.49. Main Limitations: The study's reliance on post-mortem assessments limits correlation with clinical osteoarthritis severity. Conclusions: Following stratification of equine OA severity through histological and macroscopic grading, synovial fluid metabolomic and proteomic profiling identified markers that may support earlier diagnosis and progression tracking. Further research is needed to correlate these markers with clinical osteoarthritis severity.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| Uncontrolled Keywords: | biomarker, horse, metabolomics, osteoarthritis, proteomics, synovial fluid |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Infection, Vet & Ecological Sciences |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Feb 2025 11:04 |
| Last Modified: | 16 Jun 2026 19:58 |
| DOI: | 10.1111/evj.14490 |
| Related Websites: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3190428 |
| Disclaimer: | The University of Liverpool is not responsible for content contained on other websites from links within repository metadata. Please contact us if you notice anything that appears incorrect or inappropriate. |
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