Recent findings published in the Journal of Orthopedic Research suggest dogs may play a pivotal role in advancing the treatment of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in humans. A study conducted by researchers at Cornell University unveiled that a particular protein known as periostin is significantly upregulated in the joint fluids of both dogs and humans after ACL injury, highlighting the potential of canines as a valuable model for understanding ACL injuries and post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).

The Importance of the Study

The study, led by Sydney Womack—a dual Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) and Ph.D. candidate—emphasizes the similarities between dogs and humans regarding lifestyle and susceptibility to similar injuries. As Womack states, "Dogs live with us in our houses, they eat off of our plates, they go on runs and hikes with us—they're probably as close as we can get to mimicking human lifestyle." This close connection allows researchers to leverage canine models in ways that significantly inform human medical practices.

Understanding ACL Injuries

ACL injuries are particularly common among young athletes, notably affecting females and leading to PTOA relatively early in life. However, the reasons behind the variance in the development and severity of PTOA post-injury remain largely elusive. Current treatment options primarily focus on symptom relief but do not halt disease progression.

Research Methodology

The researchers utilized joint fluid samples collected from both canine patients at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals and human patients from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City. Their analysis revealed that a substantial 60% of proteins identified were common between both species, with periostin being the most notable among those.

Parameter Canines Humans
Protein Upregulation Yes Yes
Common Proteins Detected 60% 60%
Notable Protein Periostin Periostin

Implications of Findings

The research indicates that periostin may not only serve as a potential therapeutic target but also as a biomarker for assessing the risk of PTOA development in individuals. Womack elaborates, "There’s some evidence that periostin is really important in the immediate wound-healing stage, but then chronic upregulation could lead to increased inflammation and degeneration of the joint."

“This study is powerful because it suggests that dogs could be valuable for answering questions that are harder to study in people, all while we find better treatments for both species.” – Heidi Reesink, Senior Author

Future Research Directions

The comparative short life expectancy of dogs allows researchers to observe the progression of joint diseases within a relatively short timeframe—approximately ten years, which is substantially shorter than humans. Womack is particularly focused on further investigating the role of periostin in disease progression using canine and murine models.

  • Studying the therapeutic targeting of periostin across various disease platforms, including joint diseases and certain cancers.
  • Exploring the similarities and differences in joint disease pathophysiology between species.
  • Development of shared therapeutic strategies that could benefit both canines and humans.

Conclusion

The research conducted by Cornell University signifies a substantial step forward in understanding ACL injuries through a comparative approach. By leveraging canine models, the medical community stands to gain invaluable insights that could lead to innovative treatments for both dogs and humans suffering from similar joint ailments.

References

Womack, S. J., et al. (2025). Proteomics Reveals Increased Periostin in Synovial Fluid From Canine and Human Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury. Journal of Orthopaedic Research. Link to the study.

Article originally published on April 18, 2025.