title: Comparison of cellular changes in Cavalier King Charles spaniel and mixed breed dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to determine if there are differences in cellular changes in Cavalier King Charles spaniel (CKCS) myxomatous mitral valves compared to non-CKCS dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cavalier King Charles spaniels (n = 6) and age-matched mixed breed (n = 6) with severe myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), and normal mixed breed (n = 4) dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry staining and qualitative and quantitative analysis of mitral valves sections, examining for the presence of CD11c and CD45, vimentin, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and embryonic smooth muscle myosin heavy chain (Smemb), von Willebrand factor and CD31 and Ki-67.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Vimentin positive cell numbers were increased in the MMVD dogs and distributed throughout the valve with greatest density close to the endothelium. There were no significant differences in cell marker expression for the two diseased groups, but cell numbers were significantly increased compared to controls for α-SMA (CKCS only) and Smemb (CKCS and mixed breed: p < 0.05). Alpha smooth muscle actin+ cells were primarily located at the valve edge, with Smemb+ cells similarly located, but also present throughout the valve stroma. A small number of cells close to the valve edge co-expressed α-SMA and Smemb. Endothelial von Willebrand factor expression was identified in all valves, with evidence of disrupted endothelium in the diseased, but was also found in diseased valve stroma. There was no staining for CD11c, CD45 or CD31 in any valve. Ki-67+ cells formed linear clusters at the leaflet tip and were sparsely distributed throughout both myxomatous valve groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The cellular changes notes with advanced stage MMVD appear similar for CKCS when compared to mixed breed dogs.
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easterbush, Roslin, Mid-Lothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: C-C
authors: CC
authors: Lu
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easterbush, Roslin, Mid-Lothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: M-M
authors: MM
authors: Liu
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easterbush, Roslin, Mid-Lothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Culshaw
authors: School of Veterinary Medicine, The University of Glasgow, Garscube Campus, Bearsden Road, Glasgow, Scotland, G61 1QH, UK.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: French
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Easterbush, Roslin, Mid-Lothian, Scotland, EH25 9RG, UK. Electronic address: Brendan.Corcoran@ed.ac.uk.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Corcoran
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007249:Inflammation / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000473:pathology*; D013045:Species Specificity
keywords: Canine; Cellularity; Endothelial; Immunohistochemistry; Interstitial