Abstract
BACKGROUND: Molecular serum markers that can identify early reversible osteoarthritis (OA) in horses are lacking. OBJECTIVES: We studied serum concentrations of a novel cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) neo-epitope in horses subjected to short-term exercise and with acute lameness. The effects of circadian rhythm and age were also evaluated. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal studies in healthy horses and cross-sectional comparison of lame and non-lame horses. METHODS: Sera were collected from five horses before and after short-term interval exercise and during full-day box rest. Sera from 32 acutely lame horses were used to evaluate age-related effects. Independent samples from control horses (n = 41) and horses with acute lameness (n = 71) were included. COMP neo-epitope concentrations were analysed using custom-developed inhibition ELISAs validated for equine serum. The presence of COMP neo-epitope was delineated in healthy and osteoarthritic articular cartilage with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: COMP neo-epitope concentrations decreased after speed training but returned to baseline levels post-exercise. No correlations between age and serum COMP neo-epitope concentrations were found (r = 0.0013). The mean (±s.d.) serum concentration of COMP neo-epitope in independent samples from non-lame horses was 0.84 ± 0.38 μg/mL, and for lame horses was 5.24 ± 1.83 μg/mL (P<0.001). Antibodies against COMP neo-epitope did not stain normal articular cartilage, but intracytoplasmic staining was found in superficial chondrocytes of mild OA cartilage and in the extracellular matrix of moderately osteoarthritic cartilage. MAIN LIMITATIONS: ELISA was based on polyclonal antisera rather than a monoclonal antibody. There is a sex and breed bias within the groups of horses, also it could have been of value to include horses with septic arthritis and tendonitis and investigated joint differences. CONCLUSIONS: This COMP neo-epitope can be measured in sera, and results indicate that it could be a biomarker for pathologic fragmentation of cartilage in connection with acute joint lameness.