Study Of Dogs With Microchimerism Should Improve Understanding Of Disease In Humans

Main Category: Cancer / Oncology
Also Included In: Veterinary
Article Date: 12 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT Current ratings for:
Study Of Dogs With Microchimerism Should Improve Understanding Of Disease In Humans

Some people possess a small number of cells in their bodies that are not genetically their own; this condition is known as microchimerism. It is difficult to determine potential health effects from this condition because of humans' relatively long life-spans. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have found that microchimerism can be found in dogs as well. Jeffrey Bryan, an associate professor of oncology at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and director of Comparative Oncology and Epigenetics Laboratory, says this discovery will help doctors determine what diseases humans with microchimerism may be more likely to develop during their lifetimes.

"Dogs have a much shorter lifespan than humans, which allows us, as researchers, to better monitor what diseases they may develop throughout their entire lives," Bryan said. "We already have some evidence that microchimerism may increase risk of thyroid disease while lowering the risk of breast cancer in women. Finding microchimerism in dogs allows us to track this condition over a lifespan of about 10 years, as opposed to the 70 or 80 years of a human life. This will make it much easier to determine any increased risk of or protection from other diseases brought on by microchimerism."

"Our study demonstrates that male microchimerism of probable fetal origin occurs in the pet dog population," said Sandra Axiak-Bechtel, an assistant professor of oncology at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine. "Evidence exists in women that fetal microchimerism may have conflicting roles in disease formation. The pet dog represents an excellent model of many ailments in people, and the presence of fetal microchimerism in dogs will allow studies which further clarify its role in health and disease."

Microchimerism most often occurs when a mother gives birth to a child. Sometimes, cells from that child are left in the mothers' body and continue to live, despite being of a different genetic makeup than surrounding cells. Those cells can then be passed on to other children the mother may have later. Cells also can be passed on through blood transfusions as well as bone marrow and organ transplants.

In their study published in PLOS ONE, Bryan and Axiak-Bechtel, along with MU researchers Senthil Kumar, a co-investigator in this study and assistant research professor and assistant director of the Comparative Oncology and Epigenetics Laboratory, and Sara Hansen, a comparative medicine resident at MU, studied 90 golden retrievers and found that 36 percent of the dogs had microchimerism. Closer to 40 percent of female dogs that were at least eight years post-pregnancy had the condition.

Axiak-Bechtel, Bryan, and Kumar plan on continuing their research to follow the lifespans of dogs with microchimerism to determine to what diseases those dogs may be susceptible. Bryan and Kumar also received a new grant for more than $400,000 to study epigenetic biomarkers in dogs, which will ultimately enhance diagnosis and treatment of dogs with cancer.

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Should You Try Botox? What We Wish We'd Known Before We Did

From wrinkles to migraines to happy faces, women share why they jumped on the Botox bandwagon

By Jeannette Moninger - June 26, 2013

It’s not just Real Housewives and Hollywood stars who want to stay youthful. In 2012, a record-setting 6.1 million Americans (94 percent of them women) received Botox injections. While some turn to the procedure to fight migraines or excessive sweating, the majority simply want to look younger. Here, women reveal the good, the bad and the ugly truth they learned from getting Botox.

Beware the Dog Face
“I loved how Botox softened my crow’s feet, so I tried it for frown lines between my brows. The effects were great — until I cried (and I cry often out of joy, sadness, hormonal reasons, you name it!). My inner eyebrows stayed the same, but the lower sections moved down giving me a basset hound appearance. I am an emotionally expressive person, so I will not be repeating that procedure.” —Stacey, age 45

It Can Cure Your 'Anger' Problem
“The deep crease between my eyebrows always made me look angry even when I was in great spirits. Without that line, I look so much more relaxed and youthful—happy even!” —Tina, age 48

Your Face Might Spasm
“When my Botox started to wear off, it felt like my forehead was having muscle spasms and contracting my eyebrows up toward my scalp. Thankfully, these spasms weren’t noticeable to others, but the sensation (which lasted for days) was very strange and really annoying.” —Sarah, age 44

You’ll Start Seeing Wrinkles Everywhere
“Since starting Botox, I’m very aware of how wrinkly other people’s foreheads are. But I would never tell my friends that.” —Ashlie, age 21

This Is Not the Time to Bargain Hunt
“I once experienced significant swelling after going to an inexperienced clinician. Ask your friends who they recommend and make sure the technician is well trained.” —Marisa, age 51

You Need to Be Realistic
“Botox isn’t a facelift-in-a-bottle. As a registered nurse who has both given and received injections, I find that most women’s expectations are too high. Botox is great at diminishing mild to moderate facial lines and wrinkles, but it won’t help saggy skin or deeply-etched lines. A good clinician should outline the changes you can realistically expect.” —Beth, age 52

It Really Can Prevent Migraines
“Getting Botox for migraines is like being stung repeatedly in the head. Still the pain is nothing compared to an actual migraine. My migraines have gone from about 15 a month to half that. It’s a win-win: Less pain and fewer wrinkles!” —Kari, age 44

It'll Stop Drippy Armpits
“My underarms used to drip before I started getting Botox for excessive sweating. The twice-yearly injections — about 20 per armpit — are not fun, but the payoff is sweet smelling.” —Robin, age 51

You Could Get Hooked
“At first I didn’t think I needed Botox. Now I’m scared to stop because I love what it has done for me. I feel younger, prettier and more confident” —Melissa, age 35

It's Not Just for Women With Wrinkles
“When deep creases started lining my forehead at age 27, I knew they’d only become deeper and more noticeable with age. I use Botox not necessarily to look younger, but to ensure that I won’t look older.” —Michelle, age 30

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