Evaluation of a comparative pathogenesis between cancer-associated retinopathy in humans and sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome in dogs via diagnostic imaging and western blot analysis

Abstract

The etiology of SARDS in dogs does not appear to be similar to cancer-associated retinopathy in humans on the basis of absence of differential antibody activity against retinal proteins. Although dogs with SARDS often have clinical signs compatible with hyperadrenocorticism, neoplasia of the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, or lungs was not detected.

Western blot patterns of serum autoantibodies against optic nerve antigens in dogs with goniodysgenesis-related glaucoma

“…The band was not present in negative control strips (blots incubated without patient serum but with goat anti-dog IgG), and no additional work was done to identify the underlying retinal autoantigen. 60 Keller et al 61 detected a band at 50 kDa in all dogs with SARDS and control dogs. In that study, 61 negative control strips, treated similarly to those in the Gilmour et al 60 study and the present study, also had bands at 50 kDa.…”

“…60 Keller et al 61 detected a band at 50 kDa in all dogs with SARDS and control dogs. In that study, 61 negative control strips, treated similarly to those in the Gilmour et al 60 study and the present study, also had bands at 50 kDa. This band was found to represent the IgG heavy chain present in the retinal extract.…”

“…Interpretation of this band has varied between studies. Gilmour et al 60 found a 48-kDa band in most SARDS-affected dogs and clinically normal dogs. The band was not present in negative control strips (blots incubated without patient serum but with goat anti-dog IgG), and no additional work was done to identify the underlying retinal autoantigen.…”

“…16–22 In dogs, western blots have been used to screen for retinal autoantibodies in those with SARDS. 60–62 Use of a western blot–based technique has also been reported once in dogs with glaucoma, although detailed results were not reported. 35 To our knowledge, the present study is the first to provide a comprehensive description of western blot–derived autoantibody profiles in dogs with GDRG.…”

“…Other investigators have also found evidence of autoreactivity at or around this molecular weight in clinically normal dogs. 60 …”