title: Comparative analysis of c-kit gene expression and c-Kit immunoreactivity in horses with and without obstructive intestinal disease.
abstract: Previous immunohistochemical studies targeting the receptor tyrosine kinase (c-Kit) have demonstrated an apparent reduction in the number of gastrointestinal pacemaker cells--the interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC)--in horses with intestinal motility disorders. This study compared the level of transcription of the c-kit gene encoding this receptor in horses with and without such motility disorders. Transcription levels of this gene were also compared to the density of ICC immunohistochemically positive for the c-Kit antigen. Intestinal samples were collected from 18 horses with intestinal disease and from 15 control animals. Following gene extraction and identification, real-time quantitative analysis of c-kit and a control gene, ACTB (β-actin), was carried out on all samples and the density of the c-Kit-positive ICC compared. There was a significant reduction in c-Kit immunoreactivity in the ICC of horses with large intestinal obstructive disorders relative to controls but no significant difference in the transcription of the c-kit gene between normal and affected animals. Further studies will be required to elucidate the mechanisms regulating c-Kit expression and to assess the pathophysiological significance of these findings.
authors.affiliation: Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, PO Box 8146 Dep., 0033 Oslo, Norway. ppolak@piwet.pulawy.pl
authors.forename: Constanze
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fintl
authors.forename: Geoff T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Mayhew
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stewart Lowden
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Hopwood
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Palgrave
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Proudman
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barrie Edwards
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: Neil P H
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Hudson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006736:Horses / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D056885:Interstitial Cells of Cajal / Q000378:metabolism; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000662:veterinary*; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D011946:Receptors, Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D011946:Receptors, Antigen; D019009:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit