MicroRNAs in serum and tissue can differentiate splenic hemangiosarcoma from other splenic masses in dogs.

in Veterinary pathology by Latasha Ludwig, Heather Treleaven, Arlene Khachadoorian, Brigitte Degasperi, Ingrid Walter, Deirdre Stuart, Robert A Foster, Robert Darren Wood, R Ayesha Ali, Geoffrey A Wood

TLDR

  • A study investigating microRNAs in serum and tissue samples of dogs with hemangiosarcoma and other splenic masses found that certain miRNAs could differentiate between the two and potentially be used for early detection and diagnosis.

Abstract

Splenic masses are common in dogs and vary dramatically in their clinical behavior. Clinically, and even with histology, it can be challenging to differentiate between benign and malignant splenic masses. Hemangiosarcoma (HSA), the most common malignancy of the spleen, is a very aggressive tumor with a poor prognosis. We hypothesize that microRNAs (miRNAs) in mass tissue and serum can differentiate between HSA and other splenic masses. Fifty-nine miRNAs were investigated by reverse-transcription followed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in serum and/or tissue from dogs with HSAs (serum= 24 and tissue= 17; postsplenectomy serum= 11), lymphomas (serum= 8 and tissue= 11), nonangiomatous nonlymphomatous sarcomas (serum= 6 and tissue= 10), histiocytic sarcomas (tissue= 4), benign splenic masses (myelolipomas, nodular hyperplasia, and hematomas; total serum= 21 and total tissue= 35), and normal dogs (serum= 14 and tissue= 7). Numerous miRNAs were differentially expressed in serum and tissue of HSA cases compared to those with other splenic masses or normal spleens. In serum, our 5-miRNA model (miR-135a-5p, miR-10a, miR-450b, miR-152-3p, and miR-126-5p) accurately classified 100% (24/24) of dogs with HSA from normal dogs and those with a benign splenic mass (recall = 1 for HSA). The overall accuracy of the model was 86%. In HSA and benign splenic mass tissues, our 3-miRNA model (miR-126-5p, miR-502-3p, and miR-452-5p) accurately classified 96% of the cases. This study demonstrates the utility of miRNA models in serum and tissue for screening and diagnosis of HSA in dogs. Future studies include the evaluation of prospective and prediagnosis serum samples.

Overview

  • The study aims to investigate the differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum and tissue samples of dogs with hemangiosarcoma (HSA) and other splenic masses.
  • The study includes serum and tissue samples from dogs with HSA, lymphomas, nonangiomatous nonlymphomatous sarcomas, histiocytic sarcomas, benign splenic masses, and normal dogs.
  • The primary objective is to develop miRNA-based models for the screening and diagnosis of HSA in dogs and to compare their accuracy with traditional diagnostic methods.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study identified numerous miRNAs that were differentially expressed in serum and tissue samples of dogs with HSA compared to those with other splenic masses or normal spleens.
  • The 5-miRNA model in serum accurately classified 100% of dogs with HSA from normal dogs and those with benign splenic masses, with an overall accuracy of 86%. The 3-miRNA model in tissue accurately classified 96% of HSA and benign splenic mass cases.
  • The analysis showed that miRNAs can be used as markers for differentiating between HSA and other splenic masses, and potentially for early detection of the disease.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings suggest that miRNA-based screening and diagnosis could be a valuable tool for clinicians, potentially leading to earlier detection and treatment of HSA and improved patient outcomes.
  • Future studies should evaluate the utility of miRNA models in prospective and prediagnosis serum samples to further validate their accuracy.
  • The identification of a miRNA-based diagnostic approach also raises the possibility of developing a non-invasive diagnostic test for HSA, potentially replacing traditional biopsy procedures.
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