OESCA Supported Health Research Projects

Development of Anti-IgE Peptide for Treatment of Canine Allergy

Grant Title: 01415: Development of Anti-IgE Peptide for Treatment of Canine Allergy

Principal Investigator: Dr. Bruce Hammerberg, DVM PhD
Research Institution: North Carolina State University
Start - End Dates: 1/1/2011 - 12/31/2012

Purpose: Treatment of chronic allergic diseases in dogs, often seen as recurring dermatitis, frequently results in less than optimal outcomes. When the disease can be linked to exposure to specific allergens, such house dust mites, desensitization injections can be effective in some individuals when carried out over an extended time; however, most cases are not resolved by desensitization and require a combination of allergen avoidance and anti-inflammatory drugs. The prolonged use of these drugs, such as corticosteroids, can result in severe side effects. These same challenges exist for human allergy suffers, but recently there has been a major breakthrough in the development of a new, safe and effective therapy using a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds and neutralizes human IgE that is responsible for activating inflammation-producing cells. This new product is called Xolair® and it has been used safely by millions of allergy patients for more than 5 years. Our laboratory has developed a monoclonal antibody that specifically binds canine IgE in the same manner as the monoclonal antibody used to develop Xolair®. There are two obstacles remaining in providing the canine equivalent to Xolair® for treatment of allergies in dogs and they are the Objectives of this proposal: 1. Modifying the monoclonal antibody to reduce the dog's natural response to clear this protein; and, 2. Developing cost effective production of the modified antibody. Our Approach is to: 1. Generate a single chain recombinant peptide from the IgE-binding region of our canine IgE-specific monoclonal antibody that is small in size and of limited antigenic potential; and 2. Develop a transgenic plant (eg. tobacco) containing the gene for this recombinant peptide using well established techniques that will allow production of the therapeutic peptide in kilogram quantities. The expected outcome will be to provide a new, safe and highly effective treatment option for canine allergic diseases that is affordable to use for maintenance therapy.

Grant Objectives:

Objective 1: To create a recombinant, nonanaphylactic, single-chain antibody fragment (scFv) with high affinity for canine IgE from the variable region gene sequences of mAb 5.91 clones.

Objective 2: To generate a plant-derived recombinant, nonanaphylactic, single-chain antibody fragment with high affinity for IgE that can be scaled up for production at kilogram amounts.

Grant Progress Report: 1415-EY1-Summary.pdf

Probiotic VSL# 3 Reduces Enteritis in Dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Grant Title: 01609: Probiotic VSL# 3 Reduces Enteritis in Dogs with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Principal Investigator: Dr. Albert E. Jergens, DVM, PhD
Research Institution: Iowa State University
Start - End Dates: 1/1/2012 - 12/31/2013

Purpose: Idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs. Accumulating evidence in human IBD and animal models suggests that imbalances in composition of the intestinal microbiota contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic intestinal inflammation. Recent studies have also shown that dogs with IBD have distinctly different duodenal microbial communities compared to healthy dogs. Current treatments for IBD include the administration of nonspecific anti-inflammatory drugs which may confer serious side effects and do not address the underlying basis for disease, namely, altered microbial composition. Use of probiotics (viable, non-pathogenic bacteria that exert health benefits beyond basic nutrition) offers an attractive, physiologic, and non-toxic alternative to shift the balance to protective species and treat IBD. The aim of the proposed study is to investigate the clinical, microbiologic, and anti-inflammatory effects of probiotic VSL#3 in the treatment of canine IBD. We hypothesis that VSL#3 used as an adjunct to standard therapy (i.e., elimination diet and prednisone) will induce a beneficial alteration of enteric bacteria leading to induction and maintenance of remission in dogs with IBD. A randomized, controlled clinical trial of 8 weeks duration will assess the efficacy of standard therapy + probiotic versus standard therapy alone. There is a need for additional data to be generated to provide proof of efficacy in probiotic therapy before these agents can be applied to widespread clinical use. These studies will also provide highly relevant insight into the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics for treatment of human and canine IBD.

Grant Abstract: 1-23-12_1609_Grant_Abstract.pdf

Cerebellar Ataxia Research (CA)

Grant Title: 00925: Identification of Mutation Causing Cerebellar Cortical Degeneration in American Staffordshire Terriers & Old English Sheepdogs

Principal Investigator: Dr. Natasha Olby VetMB PhD
Research Institution: North Carolina State University
Start - End Dates: 04/01/2008 - 03/31/2011

Purpose: To identify the abnormal gene that causes Cerebellar Ataxia in the Old English Sheepdog and develop a test to eradicate the disease from the breed.

You Can Participate: Researchers continue to need DNA from affected dogs and their closest relatives. The more DNA the researchers have submitted from affected dogs, the higher the probability of locating the defect gene. If you own a potential CA dogs or a close relative to an affected dog.

Contact:
Dr. Natasha Olby
Office: 919-513-8286
Clinic: 919-513-6692
natasha_olby@ncsu.edu

Grant Progress Report: 925-MY3-Summary.pdf

Cancer - Lymphoma Research

Grant Title: 00613: The Prognostic Significance of Chromosome Aneuploidy in Canine Lymphoma

Principal Investigator: Matthew Breen, PhD
Research Institution: North Carolina State University & Broad Institute via NIH Grant
Start - End Dates: 08/01/2008 - 07/31/2011

Purpose: To increase the sophistication of diagnosis and prognosis in lymphoma, the most life threatening cancer in OES and most other breeds. This research offers real potential to improve the health and welfare of dogs diagnosed with lymphoma.

You Can Participate: Collect blood & tissue samples PRIOR to CHEMO Treatments.
Prednisone is NOT considered a Chemo drug.

Contact:
Dr. Matthew Breen
919-513-1466
info@breenlab.org

For additional information, see our Cancer page.
Grant Progress Report: 613-EY2-Summary.pdf
Cancer Study Information & Consent Form

Eye Disease - Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Grant Title: Investigation of the Genetic Mutations Underlying Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Principal Investigator: Simon Petersen-Jones, PhD
Research Institution: Michigan State University

Purpose: To identify the gene mutation that causes PRA in the Old English Sheepdog and develop a screening test to identify carriers and affected PRA dogs. Such a test could enable the eradication of PRA in the breed.

You Can Participate: If you own a PRA diagnosed dog, help researchers by collecting and submitting DNA samples from the PRA dog and immediate relatives.

If you have DNA stored on a dog who was diagnosed with PRA, contact Dr. Petersen-Jones. Stored blood can also contain valuable information.

Contact:
Dr. Petersen-Jones
517-353-3278
peter315cvm.msu.edu

Over 30 breeds have a screening test for PRA.

Download the submission form.