Home > Mammalian Genome Project > Dog > Disease Research

Dog Disease Research at Broad Institute

Now that we have the dog genome sequence, we are putting it to use. Our goal is to understand – and ultimately treat – the genetic causes of disease in dogs as well as their human companions.

How can your dog help?

This important research cannot proceed without the dog community's participation. We need DNA samples from purebred dogs suffering from the diseases we are studying (described below), as well as from older, healthy dogs from the breeds we are studying.

Current and future projects and our collaborators

Cancers: Cancer affects 30-50% of all dogs. A higher incidence in certain breeds suggests that genetic risk factors exist and can be identified. Many dog cancers are clinically similar to human cancers, including several that we are working on.

• Osteosarcoma (Bone cancer)

  Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor of dog. This cancer develops in the bone, usually the limbs, and as the tumor grows it becomes progressively more painful for the dog and can result in lameness. Often these tumors metastasize to the lungs. Giant breeds are at the greatest risk for developing osteosarcomas.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Rottweilers, Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Leonbergers, Golden Retrievers, Irish Wolfhounds, Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, Borzoi and Scottish Deerhounds
  
  Main collaborators: Kenine Comstock (The University of Michigan), Jaime Modiano (University of Minnesota), Cheryl London (Ohio State University), Elizabeth McNeil (Michigan State University), Matthew Breen (North Carolina State University)
  
  Funding: AKC/CHF

• Hemangiosarcoma

  Hemangiosarcomas are rapidly growing and highly invasive, blood-fed tumors. Blood vessels grow from the tumor and often cause death through excessive blood loss due to rupturing of the tumor.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Chinese Shar-Peis, Boxers, Pugs, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks
  
  Main collaborator: Chieko Azuma (Tufts University)
  
  Funding: AKC/CHF

• Mast Cell Tumors (MCT)

  MCTs are cancerous proliferations of mast cells. Although they can and will spread throughout the body, the danger from MCTs comes from the secondary damage caused by the release of chemicals the tumors produce. These chemicals can cause systemic problems that include gastric ulcers, internal bleeding, and a range of allergic manifestations.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Pugs, Shar-Peis and Boxers
  
  Main collaborators: Cheryl London (Ohio State University), Lisa Barber (Tufts University)
  
  Funding: Morris Animal Foundation

• Lymphoma

  A cancer of the lymphocytes that can occur in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and other organs. Characteristics are high white blood cell count, swollen lymph glands, lethargy, and loss of appetite. It is a treatable cancer, but if left untreated, it will eventually lead to death. A number of B- and T-cell subtypes exist.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, Rottweilers and Boxers
  
  Collaborator: Matthew Breen (North Carolina State University)
  
  Funding: Pending

• Mammary tumors

  Tumors of the mammary gland are the most common tumors found in unspayed female dogs. Several subtypes exist but may segregate in the same families.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: English Springer Spaniels, Boxers and Cocker Spaniels
  
  Main collaborators: Henrik von Euler (Swedish University of Agricultural Science), Elizabeth McNeil (Michigan State University)
  
  Funding: Pending

• Melanoma (skin cancer)

  Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes (the pigment-producing cells of the skin). Irregular cells develop when the melanocytes erratically multiply and invade surrounding tissue. Malignant melanomas can spread from the original tumor and travel through the blood to other vessels and organs.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Labrador Retrievers, Rottweilers, and other breeds.
  
  Main collaborators: Phil Bergman (Animal Medical Center), Catherine André (Université de Rennes)
  
  Funding: Pending

Immunological Diseases:

• Familial Shar-Pei Fever (FSF)

  FSF is a condition that causes dangerously high recurrent fevers, which can be accompanied by swollen hocks and muzzles and can even result in renal and liver failure.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Chinese Shar-Peis
  
  Main collaborators: Francesca Puppo (National Institutes of Health), Daniel Kastner (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
  
  *Note - sample collection primarily at NIH

• Addison’s disease

  Also known as hypoadrenocorticism or adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s is caused by an insufficient production of adrenal hormones by a kidney’s adrenal gland. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, poor appetite, pain in the hindquarters, and generalized muscle weakness. Breeds needed for our study: Poodles and Bearded Collies
  
  Main collaborators: Anita Oberbauer (University of California, Davis), Åke Hedhammar (Swedish University of Agricultural Science)
  
  *Note - sample collection also at UCD and SUAS

• Lymphocytic Thyroiditis

  Lymphocytic thyroiditis is an immune-related destruction of the thyroid gland that can result in sluggishness, obesity, skin disease, cold intolerance, hair loss, weakness, poor coat, and infertility. This disease is also one of the leading causes of primary hypothyroidism.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Giant Schnauzers, Doberman Pinschers, and Leonbergers.
  
  Main collaborator: Åke Hedhammar (Swedish University of Agricultural Science)

Other:

• White coat color

  Our white coat color study serves as proof of principle for association mapping using the canine SNP arrays. Breeding studies in the 1950s by Clarence Little designated the white coat variant as the extreme white, or sw, allele of the major white spotting locus (S). Several other alleles were also suggested to share the same locus, including Irish spotting (si), and piebald spotting (sp).
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Complete
  
  Main collaborators: Leif Andersson (Uppsala University), Göran Andersson (Swedish University of Agricultural Science)

• Dermoid sinus (DS)

  DS is a congenital disorder where, during embryonic development, the tissues that are to become skin to do not properly separate from the tissues that are to become the nervous system. Dermoid sinuses occur as tubular structures of the skin on the middle of the back, which can penetrate into the spinal canal and become infected, painfully swollen and life threatening for the dog.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Thai Ridgeback
  
  Main collaborators: Göran Andersson (Swedish University of Agricultural Science), Leif Andersson (Uppsala University) *Note - sample collection at SUAS

• Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)

  DM is a degenerative neurological disease where the dog’s immune system attacks both the myelin and axons of the nerves in the spinal cord (similar to multiple sclerosis in humans). The first signs are hind limb weakness and lack of coordination which can progress to a complete inability to walk.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Boxers and Corgis
  
  Main collaborator: Joan Coates (University of Missouri)

• Juvenile Renal Dysplasia (JRD)

  JRD is an inherited condition affecting the developmental maturation of the kidney. The key clinical signs of JRD include (but are not limited to) excess water intake and urination from a young age (8 weeks to 2 years of age), and small, irregular-shaped kidneys observed by ultrasound examination, often leading to renal failure.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Boxers and Shih Tzus
  
  Main collaborator: Åke Hedhammar (Swedish University of Agricultural Science)

• Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM)

  DCM is a disease of the heart muscle that can result in enlarged heart chambers, valve leakage and, in turn, weakened contractions and difficulty pumping blood out to the body and lungs. DCM is most commonly seen in large breed dogs, but it can be found in smaller breed dogs.
  
  Breeds needed for our study: Boxers, Doberman Pinschers, and Newfoundlands
  
  Collaborators: Kathryn Meurs (Washington State University), Åke Hedhammar (Swedish University of Agricultural Science)
  
  *Note - sample collection at WSU and SUAS

Although we appreciate that many people and dogs want to help, the fastest progress for all dogs will be made by using samples from only purebred dogs.

Please use the links below for more information.

• Sending DNA samples
• Information for veterinarians
• More information on our research
• Updates on our research (November 2005)

• Printable brochure (PDF)

If you have questions, please contact us:
E-mail: dog-info@broad.mit.edu

The American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation and Morris Animal Foundation sponsor research for a number of other canine diseases.