A panel of protein candidates for comprehensive study of Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) infection

Abstract

The caprine arthrite encephalite (CAE) is a disease that affects especially dairy goat. The virus shows compartmentalization features, that allows it to hide at certain times during the course of the disease, making it difficult to control. The present study was conducted to identify the major seminal plasma protein profile of goats infected by CAE and its associations with seroconversion using Western blotting. Two groups containing five males each, were used in this experiment. The first group was composed by seropositive animals and the control by seronegative confirmed by Western blotting and PCR. The semen was collected through artificial vagina and after that, two-dimensional electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF MS were used. Seventy-five spots were identified in the goat seminal plasma gels, equivalent to 13 different proteins with more expression. The similar proteins found in both groups and related to reproduction were spermadhesin Z13-like, bodhesin and bodhesin-2, Lipocalin, protein PDC-109-like, and albumin. In infected goats, proteases such as arisulfatase A have been identified, whose function probably is related to metabolism control of sulfatides, involved to virus control. The other ones were bifunctional ATP-dependent dihydroxyacetone kinase/FAD-AMP lyase, cathepsin F isoform X1, disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 2-like isoform X1, clusterin, carbonic anhydrase 2, electron transfer flavoprotein subunit beta, and epididymal secretory glutathione peroxidase. The results of this study show the reaction of the innate immune system against chronic infection of goats by CAE.

Short communication: Genetic parameter estimates for caprine arthritis encephalitis in dairy goats

“…This disease causes major economical and welfare problems for the worldwide goat industry, including reduced production, growth rate, and longevity; greater rate of reproductive failures; premature culling; and increased incidence of disease (Smith and Cutlip, 1988;Peterhans et al, 2004;Reina et al, 2009;Leitner et al, 2010;Murphy et al, 2010;Konishi et al, 2011;Kaba et al, 2012;Tageldin et al, 2012;Martínez-Navalón et al, 2013). Additionally, CAE is a limiting factor for trade of animals across local herds and internationally, as this disease is controlled by biosecurity barriers (Bezerra Júnior et al, 2018). The main symptoms of CAEV infection are swelling and inflammation of carpal joints and other organ or tissues (bursae, brain, spinal cord, lungs); muscle tremors; depressive behavior; repeated walking in circles; hitting the head against the wall repeatedly during the day; exaggerated head twitch and head tilt (Figure 1); clinical mastitis; lymphadenopathy; interstitial pneumonia; and encephalitis (McGuire et al, 1990;Reina et al, 2009;Leitner et al, 2010;Leroux et al, 2010;Blacklaws, 2012).…”

“…The most accurate CAE diagnosis is done using the ELISA and agar gel immunodiffusion methods (Bezerra Júnior et al, 2018), which are expensive, especially for smallholders. However, considering the reduction in production and longevity, as mentioned above, these tests might be cost effective depending on CAEV prevalence and herd size.…”