Serum level of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in equine osteoarthritis

Summary This study was designed to assay and compare cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) in horse sera, in samples from normal and joint diseased horses, and to investigate the relationships between COMP in sera and synovial Quids (SF) with keratan sulphate (KS) data. Sera from 38 horses free of any joint pathology (controls) and from horses with aseptic joint disease (AJD horses, n = 40) were assayed for COMP and KS concentrations. Of the 78 horses in the study, 53 were also assayed for COMP and KS concentrations in SF. COMP and KS were measured by inhibition ELISA, using monoclonal antibodies 12C4 and 5D4, respectively. The COMP concentration in sera from AJD horses (mean ± s.d. 10.7 ± 7.4 μg/ml) was significantly (P