Purification and determination of C-reactive protein and inter-α-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain 4 in dogs after major surgery through generation of specific antibodies.
In this study published in Veterinary Immunology Immunopathology (Soler et al., Vet Immunol Immunopathol 179:26-31) the serum protein ITIH4 was isolated and characterized for the first time in dogs (homologous protein of Pig Major acute phase protein, pig-MAP).
The studies, carried out at the department of Biochemistry of the University of Zaragoza with the collaboration of Acuvet Biotech, demonstrate that ITIH4, like in other species, is an acute phase protein in dogs. Acute phase proteins are blood proteins that increase in concentration in response to inflammation, infection or stress. Canine ITIH4 concentration was determined by immunochemical methods in dogs that had undergone different types of surgeries. An increase on ITIH4 concentration was observed after the surgery, confirming its role as acute phase protein.