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Endotoxins bind to bacterial cell walls and are released when the bacterium ruptures or disintegrates. Endotoxins stimulate the immune system, which leads to inflammation and contributes to severe illness associated with many common equine health challenges. These include diarrhea, gastrointestinal disease, and foal infections. Immune cells react to endotoxins by producing a group of small molecular particles called microRNAs that turn on and off specific genes that direct inflammation. Researchers will expose immune cells to endotoxins to study the microRNAs they produce. Findings will improve our understanding of microRNA response to bacterial endotoxins which will help researchers develop more effective methods for detecting and treating bacterial infections and associated inflammation in horses.

Study ID
D16EQ-825
Study Status
Complete
Start Date
01/01/2016
Grant amount awarded
$9,677
Grant recipient
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Study country
United States
Investigator
Virginia A. Buechner-Maxwell, DVM
Study category
Immunology