Latest update from Jack Whitehouse, PhD researcher

Reporting period – June – September 2021
1. Metabolic profiling of faecal samples from CRGV affected and healthy dogs
Faecal samples from dogs with Cutaneous and Renal Glomerular Vasculopathy (CRGV) and healthy dogs have been processed to collect faecal water (the liquid within the faeces). The faecal water may contain information on the metabolites (substances produced as the body makes bigger items into smaller ones) present in the bowel/gut of CRGV affected and healthy dogs. Performing metabolic profiling (identifying the substances) will reveal how much and how many metabolites are present and the differences in the relative amounts of metabolites between healthy and CRGV affected dogs. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing COVID- 19 pandemic, the final 96 samples have not been processed. However, these samples will be processed at the end of September 2021.
2. Detecting the presence of autoantibodies in CRGV affected dogs as a predictor of disease.
The groundwork is being laid for the collection of blood from CRGV affected, comparative-CRGV (dogs with kidney disease that isn’t caused by CRGV), and healthy dogs to detect a certain type of antibody called autoantibody anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic, or ANCA for short. An antibody normally helps the body neutralise a foreign invader such as a virus. ANCA actually targets white blood cells that play a role in maintaining health and fighting infection, this targeted attack causes inflammation of small blood vessels. The inflammation seen in ANCA cases is similar to the inflammation seen in CRGV confirmed cases. Therefore, we will be detecting the level of ANCA in CRGV affected dogs which will allow us to determine if ANCA plays a role in the disease process of CRGV. We hope this study will produce the first predictor of canine CRGV, allowing veterinarians to make a rapid diagnosis of CRGV.
3. Further microbial community profiling of the CRGV affected gut.
Faecal samples from CRGV and healthy control dogs have been prepared for sequencing (detailed analysis) using an advanced technique (microbial community profiling). This approach will provide information on the bacteria present and the differences between the gut of CRGV affected and healthy dogs. Differences in faecal bacterial amount and type may reveal what organisms could be involved in the disease process of CRGV. This will build upon the previous research mentioned in the December 2020 – May 2021 progress report.
In summary, over the past three months the study has:

1. Utilised advanced techniques to profile certain substances present in the gut of CRGV affected and healthy control dogs.
   
2. Started the groundwork for sourcing blood to investigate the levels of a particular antibody (ANCA) present in CRGV affected dogs.
   
3. Further investigated the potential of using an advanced technique (microbial community profiling) to study the faeces of CRGV affected and healthy control dogs.