Why is the dog an ideal model for aging research?

With many caveats to the traditional vertebrate species pertaining to biogerontology investigations, it has been suggested that a most informative model is the one which: 1) examines closely related species, or various members of the same species with naturally occurring lifespan variation, 2) already has adequate medical procedures developed, 3) has a well annotated genome, 4) does not require artificial housing, and can live in its natural environment while being investigated, and 5) allows considerable information to be gathered within a relatively short period of time. The domestic dog unsurprisingly fits each criterion mentioned. The dog has already become a key model system in which to evaluate surgical techniques and novel medications because of the remarkable similarity between human and canine conditions, treatments, and response to therapy.

Epstein-Barr virus IL-10 gene expression by a recombinant murine gammaherpesvirus in vivo enhances acute pathogenicity but does not affect latency or reactivation.

Background: Many viral genes affect cytokine function within infected hosts, with interleukin 10 (IL-10) as a commonly targeted mediator. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encodes an IL-10 homologue (vIL-10) expressed during productive (lytic) infection and induces expression of cellular IL-10 (cIL-10) during latency. This study explored the role of vIL-10 in a murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV) model of viral infection.

Connecting serum IGF-1, body size, and age in the domestic dog.

Many investigations in recent years have targeted understanding the genetic and biochemical basis of aging. Collectively, genetic factors and biological mechanisms appear to influence longevity in general and specifically; reduction of the insulin/IGF-1 signaling cascade has extended life span in diverse species. Genetic alteration of mammals for life extension indicates correlation to serum IGF-1 levels in mice, and IGF-1 levels have been demonstrated as a physiological predictor of frailty with aging in man.

Analysis of gene expression in brain tissue from Greyhounds with meningoencephalitis.

Objective: To elucidate the pathogenesis of Greyhound meningoencephalitis by evaluating gene expression in diseased brain tissue.

Animals: Cadavers of 3 diseased (8- to 15-month-old) and 3 (10-month-old) control Greyhounds.

Procedures: Samples of RNA were extracted from brain tissue of all dogs and evaluated by use of a canine-specific microarray.

Heritability and transmission analysis of necrotizing meningoencephalitis in the Pug.

Necrotizing meningoencephalitis (NME) in the Pug is an invariably fatal disease with an early age of onset whose cause remains unknown. Breed predilection strongly suggests genetic component(s), and viral etiology proves negative in studied cases. The current study was undertaken as the first analysis of the heritable component(s) involved in NME in the Pug.

Gene expression analysis in a canine model of X-linked Alport syndrome.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often culminates in renal failure as a consequence of progressive interstitial fibrosis and is an important cause of illness and death in dogs. Identification of disease biomarkers and gene expression changes will yield valuable information regarding the specific biological pathways involved in disease progression. Toward these goals, gene expression changes in the renal cortex of dogs with X-linked Alport syndrome (XLAS) were examined using microarray technology.

Statistical analysis regarding the effects of height and weight on life span of the domestic dog.

This study was undertaken to determine the association between life spans and breed size in the dog, based upon data derived from the pet population. Seventy-seven American Kennel Club breeds were analyzed with data collected for more than 700 dogs. Multiple linear regression analysis was carried out with longevity as the dependent variable and height or weight as the independent variable.

Aging-associated loci in Canis familiaris.

Although recent endeavors to discover the mechanisms of the aging process have been numerous and successful, there is still much to be learned. Genes implicated in the aging process were mapped to the canine genome and will serve as additional framework markers for the assignment of contiguous segments from the canine genome sequence to chromosomes. The 54 genes were selected because of their demonstrated contribution to longevity in other organisms or based upon their proximity to a marker, D4S1564, on human chromosome 4 (Puca et al.

Mapping a chromosomal locus for valproic acid-induced exencephaly in mice.

Human neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most common congenital defects. They have a highly heterogeneous etiology, and, in addition to those seen in association with genetic syndromes, there are also NTDs induced by pharmaceutical compounds in utero, such as the widely used anti-epileptic drug valproic acid (VPA). Although familial studies have suggested a genetic contribution to VPA-induced NTDs, this trait has not been adequately studied, nor have the responsible genetic factors been identified.