Biology subjects

Comerford, E. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Comerford, E. J..

3 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Extreme disparity in the appendicular skeleton of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris)

Domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) display more morphological variation than any other mammal. Cranial morphology has been extensively studied, as have the relationships with function, development, genetics, veterinary medicine, and breed welfare. Postcrania remain comparatively understudied, despite well-documented breed-specific predispositions to musculoskeletal disease. Here, we apply three-dimensional landmark-free morphometrics to quantify the shape of 743 elements from 213 dogs, including the scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, pelvic girdle, femur, tibia, and fibula. We assess integration among limb elements and investigate drivers of shape variation within and between breeds. Across most breeds, limb bone shape is strikingly similar. Dachshunds, however, exhibit distinct morphology across all elements and one to two orders of magnitude greater variation than any other breed. Despite this disparity, integration remains high between all element pairs. Remarkably, we find no significant relationship between bone shape and body mass, age, or pathology, but comparison with historic specimens reveals marked changes in dachshund long bone shape over the past [~]150 years. These extreme differences are not shared by other sampled chondrodysplastic breeds, underscoring the need to understand morphological diversity beyond simple categorisation. These findings provide a quantitative framework for linking postcranial morphology with function, disease risk, and evidence-based improvements to canine welfare.

zoology↗

bioRxiv2022

Determining predictive metabolomic biomarkers of meniscal injury in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament disease

ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to use for the first time proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) to examine the metabolomic profile of stifle joint synovial fluid from dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture with and without meniscal injuries. We hypothesised this would identify biomarkers of meniscal injury. MethodsStifle joint synovial fluid was collected from dogs undergoing stifle joint surgery or arthrocentesis for lameness investigations at three veterinary hospitals in the North-West of England. Samples underwent 1H NMR spectroscopy and metabolite identification. We used multivariate and univariate statistical analysis to identify differences in the metabolomic profile between dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture and meniscal injury, cranial cruciate ligament rupture without meniscal injury, and neither cranial cruciate ligament rupture nor meniscal injury, taking into consideration specific clinical variables. Results154 samples of canine synovial fluid were included in the study. 64 metabolites were annotated to the 1H NMR spectra. Six spectral regions were found to be significantly altered between groups with cranial cruciate ligament rupture with and without meniscal injury, including three attributed to NMR mobile lipids (mobile lipid -CH3 [p=0.016], mobile lipid -n(CH3)3 [p=0.017], mobile unsaturated lipid [p=0.031]). Clinical SignificanceWe identified an increase in NMR mobile lipids in the synovial fluid of dogs with meniscal injury which are of interest as potential biomarkers of meniscal injury, as well as understanding the metabolic processes that occur with meniscal injury.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2020

Active synthesis of collagen (I) homotrimer and matrisomal proteins in Dupuytren's fibrosis

Dupuytrens disease is a common fibroproliferative disease of the palmar fascia of the hand with advanced cases treated surgically. Anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) injection has undergone phase 2 trials and may be effective in slowing early-stage disease progression. Here we sought to determine how new synthesis of type I collagen in Dupuytrens differs from normal palmar fascia samples and to analyse the role of TNF in aberrant collagen synthesis. Model non-fibrotic, but fibrous connective tissues, were used to analyse active type I collagen protein synthesis in development, ageing and degenerative disease, where it was restricted to early development and ruptured tissue. Dupuytrens tissue was shown to actively synthesise type I collagen, including abnormal type I collagen homotrimer. TNF- reduced COL1A2 gene expression only in the presence of serum in 2D cell culture and had opposing effects on collagen protein production in the presence or absence of serum. TNF- had only limited effects in 3D tendon-like constructs. Anti-TNF did not reduce type I collagen synthesis in 3D tendon-like constructs or prevent type I collagen homotrimer synthesis in Dupuytrens tissue. Hence, modulation of the TNF- pathway in Dupuytrens disease is unlikely to prevent the pathological collagen accumulation that is characteristic of fibrosis.

cell biology↗