Proteomics identification of overexpressed serum proteins in dogs with Babesia canis infection

Research (Published online: 07-10-2023)

4. Proteomics identification of overexpressed serum proteins in dogs with Babesia canis infection

Sudpatchara Ritchoo, Phattara-orn Havanapan, Metita Sussadee, Cherdsak Maneeruttanarungroj, and Rucksak Rucksaken

Veterinary World, 16(10): 2042-2048

Sudpatchara Ritchoo: Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Phattara-orn Havanapan: Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand.

Metita Sussadee: Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Cherdsak Maneeruttanarungroj: Department of Biology, School of Science, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Bangkok, Thailand.

Rucksak Rucksaken: Department of Veterinary Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Technology, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Background and Aim: Canine babesiosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Babesia canis, is characterized by clinical manifestations, including hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, multiple organ failure, and may result in death. This disease is detected using conventional blood smears, which are time-consuming and have low sensitivity. This study aimed to investigate a more rapid and sensitive method for detecting B. canis infection in dogs by examining the expressed serum protein profiles using proteomics.

Materials and Methods: We collected six sera samples from three healthy and three B. canis-infected dogs diagnosed using blood smear and polymerase chain reaction. We analyzed the proteins using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The candidate spots from the gel were subjected to protein identification using a nano-liquid chromatography system coupled to an ion-trap mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization nano-sprayer.

Results: We found that 10 protein spots were overexpressed in the serum samples from infected dogs compared with healthy dogs, which corresponded to three proteins: serotransferrin, serotransferrin isoforms X1, and hemopexin. Furthermore, analysis of the protein-protein interaction network confirmed that they strongly interacted with each other.

Conclusion: This study suggests that high levels of serotransferrin and hemopexin are related to B. canis infection, making these proteins potential candidates for the development of diagnostic molecules or vaccines.