Proper function of ABCB4 is critical for maintaining hepatobiliary homeostasis as

evidenced by the myriad of diseases that occur when polymorphisms of ABCB4 cause complete or partial protein dysfunction. ABCB4 deficiency is associated with a variety of hepatobiliary disorders in people including progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC type 3), cholelithiasis, and cholestasis of pregnancy [4, 8–10]. Abcb 4-/- mice, in which Abcb 4 function is lacking entirely, also develop severe hepatobiliary disease that starts at a few weeks of age and Fluorouracil mw progresses throughout life [11, 12]. Hepatobiliary disease in dogs has been recognized with increased frequency during the past several years. In particular, gallbladder mucoceles (mucinous hyperplasia or mucinous cholecystitis) EGFR activity have been documented to be an increasingly important cause of hepatobiliary disease in dogs [13–15]. Histopathologic findings associated with ABCB4 associated diseases in people, including intrahepatic cholestasis, cholecystitis, and periportal inflammation [13, 16, 17], are not commonly reported in dogs with gall bladder mucoceles. Additionally, gallbladder mucoceles are not a component of ABCB4 linked syndromes in people or mice. Gallbladder mucoceles, which occur rarely in people, are often associated with extrahepatic bile duct obstruction. The etiology

of gallbladder mucoceles in dogs has not yet been identified, but extrehepatic bile duct obstruction is not commonly associated with this disorder [14, 15]. Gallbladder mucoceles may result from chronic injury to the epithelial lining of the biliary system since hypersecretion of mucin is the typical physiologic

Staurosporine research buy response of any epithelial lining to injury. Recently Shetland Sheepdogs were identified as a breed that is predisposed to gallbladder mucocele formation, suggesting a genetic predisposition [13]. Because ABCB4 dysfunction is associated with hepatobiliary disease in people and mice, we postulated that a defect in canine ABCB 4 might be responsible for gallbladder mucocele disease in dogs, and Shetland Sheepdogs in particular. Therefore, we sequenced canine ABCB 4 in affected and unaffected Shetland Sheepdogs as well as affected and unaffected dogs of other breeds. Methods Collection of DNA from affected and unaffected individuals All work was approved by the institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Collection of DNA from affected Shetland Sheepdogs was accomplished by soliciting owners’ cooperation. In order to cast a wide net, owners of dogs with confirmed (ultrasound, surgery, or histopathology) or suspected (elevated liver enzymes – alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and/or gamma glutamyl transferase -, total bilirubin, cholesterol and/or triglycerides) gallbladder disease were asked to submit a cheek swab, copy of the dog’s pedigree, and copy of the dog’s medical record. Contact of Shetland Sheepdog owners was made through the American Shetland Sheepdog Association.