title: Serum antibodies against βH-crystallins in the American Cocker Spaniel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To detect antibodies for lens βH-crystallins in the serum from the American Cocker Spaniel (ACS) presenting with and without cataracts and with and without uveitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three American Cocker Spaniels and six normal Beagles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sera were collected from 73 ACSs, including those with normal lenses and those with cataracts, or uveitis. Fractionated, normal Beagle lens βH-crystallins were separated by one- or two-dimensional electrophoresis. The separated lens βH-crystallins were used on immunoblots as sentinel substrates against which the ACS sera were tested for the presence of antibodies against βH-crystallins.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sera from approximately two-thirds of study animals contained antibodies to some βH-crystallin polypeptides, but reactivity varied among patients. Contrary to some hypotheses, serum antibodies to groups of βH-crystallins did not relate to the stages of cataract. However, detailed analysis by two-dimensional immunoblotting and mass spectrometry showed that three spots originating from βA1-crystallin were detected only in sera from cataract patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serum antibodies to βA1-crystallin may be associated with the development of cataract.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara, 2525201, Japan.
authors.forename: Nobuyuki
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kanemaki
authors.forename: Chiho
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fukiage
authors.forename: Yoichiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ichikawa
authors.forename: Thomas R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Shearer
authors.forename: Mitsuyoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Azuma
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D002386:Cataract / Q000276:immunology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D038204:beta-Crystallins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D038204:beta-Crystallins
keywords: American Cocker Spaniels; cataracts; dog; immunoblotting; serum antibodies; βH-crystallins