Serum amyloid A

  • SAA expression in chondrocytes and synoviocytes
  • Equine serum amyloid A (eqSAA) - description and characterization of eqSAA genes and isoforms
  • SAA and wound healing - limb versus body wounds

Serum amyloid A - expression in chondrocytes and synoviocytes

Aim: To investigate the local production of equine SAA in articular joints. This study is performed in collaboration between our lab and the lab of Stine Jacobsen at Large Animal Surgery, Department of Large Animal Sciences.

Short description: SAA is an acute phase protein released in large quantities as a response to inflammatory stimuli. SAA is mainly produced and secreted by the liver, but studies have shown that local production of SAA takes place in a number of tissues. In a pilot study performed in collaboration between our lab and Stine Jacobsen of Large Animal Surgery we showed that equine chondrocytes in culture produce and secrete SAA, and that the amount of SAA increases as the chondrocytes dedifferentiate over time possibly as a stress response. In this study we investigate the expression of SAA (gene and protein) in chondrocytes and synoviocytes in vitro and in articular cartilage and synovial membrane in vivo under normal and inflammatory conditions.

Main investigators: Lise C. Berg, Stine Jacobsen
Collaborators: Preben D. Thomsen, Pia Haubro Andersen
Project student (autumn 2009): Søren Ladefoged

Publications:
Local production of serum amyloid A in equine articular cartilage and cultured chondrocytes. Berg LC, Jacobsen S, Thomsen PD. Int J Exp Path. 2007;88(4):A58-A59 Wiley (abstract)
Equine articular chondrocytes treated with serum amyloid A (SAA) show increased expression of MMP-1, IL-1 beta and SAA. Berg LC, Jacobsen S, Thomsen PD. Int J Exp Path.

Equine serum amyloid A (eqSAA) - description and characterization of eqSAA genes and isoforms


Aim: To establish the molecular pattern of equine SAA both on a gene and protein level, and to investigate tissue expression of SAA mRNA (part of larger study).

Short description: SAA is a major acute phase protein in horses. The SAA gene family is comprised of between four and five genes depending on species, and the expression pattern of the genes varies from hepatic to extra-hepatic and constitutive. There is great homology between the genes, making them difficult to distinguish when using standard molecular methods. The individual genes result in different protein isoforms of similar weight (around 14 kD), but they can be distinguished by their isoelectric point. In these studies, we aim to provide a detailed description and characterization of the equine SAA genes and their resulting protein isoforms with regards to sequences and expression patterns.

Main investigators for the molecular study: Lise C. Berg, Stine Jacobsen

Funding: The tissue panel study is part of a larger study supported by the Research Council for Technology and Production (FTP)

Publications:
L. C. Berg, P. D. Thomsen, P. H. Andersen, H. E. Jensen, and S. Jacobsen (2011) Serum amyloid A is expressed in histologically normal tissues from horses and cattle. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 144(1-2):155-159. PubMed