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MicroRNAs and Their Potential Role as Biomarkers in Canine COngestive Heart Failure

Myxomatous mitral valvular degeneration (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs, accounting for more than 70% of canine heart disease cases. It primarily affects middle‐aged small dogs, though, any dog can develop MMVD. It can affect all heart valves but is usually detected in mitral valves. Degenerative processes cause mitral valves to thicken and retract, creating an unwanted hole which blood can flow through. Tearing of mitral valves can lead to blood overflow and later, CHF in the heart’s left‐side. Currently, there are no medications proven to prevent, slow, or reverse the development of MMVD. Because of limited knowledge on MMVD, heart murmurs and coughing are the earliest means of detection. A microRNA (miRNA) is a small non‐coding RNA molecule, about 22 nucleotides long. We would test miRNA‐21, miRNA‐29a‐3p, miRNA‐210, and miRNA‐133a. If said miRNA significantly upregulated in CHF‐positive dog plasma, then upregulation of those miRNA could indicate development of MMVD. Plasma would be collected from dogs at an animal shelter. Plasma RNA would be purified using QIAzol Lysis Reagent. RT‐PCR would be used to reverse transcribe RNA to cDNA. SYBR Green (fluorescent dye) would detect miRNA amplification. If we can determine which miRNAs have a significantly high concentration in CHF‐positive dog plasma, we would be able to detect MMVD in pre‐developmental stages. For example, if a dog’s blood screening results show abnormal upregulation of miRNA precursor to MMVD, inhibitors of said miRNA could administered as a preventative measure.