Serum levels of ST2-soluble fraction in clinically healthy dogs

• Grant number: 14/26802-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2015
• End date: December 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Denise Saretta Schwartz
• Grantee: Letícia Freitas Beccari
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The ST2 gene encodes a protein that is a member of the interleukin-1 receptor family and consists of two isoforms: a transmembranereceptor form (ST2L) and a soluble one (sST2), that can be detected in serum. Clinically, elevated serum levels of sST2 indicate patients with destabilized cardiac function and more ventricular remodeling, besides identifying patients with a higher risk of death due to heart failure on short- and long-term follow-up. The literature search shows no reference values defined for canine sST2. Therefore, the interest arises to measure this protein in clinically healthy dogs, in order to standardize the methodology and to determine which can be considered normal values for the study population. The study design is a prospective observational cross sectional clinical trial, composed by a sample of50 healthy small breed dogs with mitral valve disease predisposition. The animals will be subjected to a thorough clinical examination and hematological and biochemical tests. Lastly, serum concentrations of sST2 will be measured using commercial canine ELISA kits. We expect that the knowledge acquired in this study lends itself to base novel researches, aiming that sST2 tests become more accessible, allowing their wide use in clinical routine.