Association of circulating microRNA‐122 and microRNA‐29a with stage of fibrosis and progression of chronic hepatitis in Labrador Retrievers

Abstract

Background Chronic hepatitis (CH) in dogs is common and has the tendency to progress to liver cirrhosis (LC). Circulating microRNAs might have the potential as markers for disease progression. Objectives To investigate whether concentration of specific microRNAs in serum correlate with the stage and grade of CH in Labrador Retrievers. Animals Twenty‐two Labrador Retrievers with histological CH (n = 8), LC (n = 7), and normal liver (NL, n = 7). Methods In this retrospective study, serum concentrations of miR‐122, miR‐29a, miR‐133a, miR‐181b, and miR‐17‐5p were measured by quantitative real‐time PCR and evaluated using univariate linear regression in dogs. A multivariate model was fit including the grade of hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis. Results Of the 5 microRNAs, only circulating miR‐122 and miR‐29a were significantly associated with the grade of hepatitis and the stage of fibrosis. A positive correlation was identified between the grade of hepatitis with miR‐122 (rs = 0.79, P < .001) and miR‐29a (rs = 0.78, P < .001). Both miR‐122 (rs = 0.81, P < .001) and miR‐29a (rs = 0.67, P < .001) showed a significant positive correlation with the stage of fibrosis. MiR‐122 concentrations were significantly higher in the CH (P < .01) and LC groups (P < .001) compared to the NL group. MiR‐29a concentrations were significantly higher in the CH (P < .001) and LC (P < .001) groups compared to the NL group. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Circulating miR‐122 and miR‐29a concentrations might be useful for monitoring the response to treatment and progression of canine CH.

Keywords

• canine
• cirrhosis
• dog
• fibrosis
• liver injury