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The foundation has announced 17 research projects to be funded this year.

The slate includes nine projects to be launched this year and eight which will be in their second year of funding, with a total allocation of $US841,023.

The foundation is the leading source of private funding for veterinary research specifically for the horse, and the 2011 funding brings its totals since 1983 to $US18.1 million across 279 projects at 40 universities.

Among new projects to be launched this year with the foundation's funding is work addressing piroplasmosis, a blood parasite disease that was widely believed not to exist in North America before an outbreak appeared in the US in 2010.

Dr Robert Mealey, of Washington State University, is beginning a two-year project aimed at identifying the immune responses necessary to protect horses against the disease.

Among additional subjects addressed by the new projects are avoidance of supporting-limb laminitis and early detection of laryngeal neuropathy (roaring).

The fifth annual Elastikon Research Award is being presented as part of the foundation's funding to Dr Laurie Goodrich, of Colorado State University.

The Elastikon Award is supported in part by a donation to the foundation from Johnson & Johnson's Consumer Products Division. Goodrich's project will address osteoarthritis, a malady common to horses. She will use gene therapy to try to produce beneficial protein that will allow cartilage to heal.

In addition to the grants, the foundation is presenting the Storm Cat Career Development Award, created to provide an early boost to an individual considering a career in equine research, to Kyla Ortved, a doctoral student at Cornell University who will work with Professor Alan Nixon on gene therapy.

This $US15,000 award was inaugurated in 2006 and since its inception has been underwritten by Mrs Lucy Young Hamilton, a foundation board member whose family stood the distinguished stallion Storm Cat at its Overbrook Farm.

Determinants of Immune Protection Against Babesia equi (Piroplasmosis)
Dr. Robert H. Mealey, Washington State University -First Year
Babesia equi is a blood parasite in horses that causes piroplasmosis. The parasite is spread by ticks. Many believed piroplasmosis to be foreign to the United States, while others anticipated it was only a matter of time until it appeared in this country. Recent outbreaks in several states proved the second opinion correct and emphasize the critical need for additional means of disease prevention and control. Persistence of the disease will cause abortions and mortality. In addition to these humane considerations, the imposition of export restrictions and interstate movement restrictions would have an enormous economic impact on the entire horse industry. No vaccine currently exists, and the type of immune response such a vaccine would have to elicit has not been established. The overall goal of this proposal is to identify the immune responses necessary to protect horses against infection. The researchers will perform a comprehensive analysis of immune responses following infection, treat horses with drugs to clear the infection, and determine if the treated horses are resistant to re-infection. They will identify the types of immune responses that are important in protection. The studies will determine if treated horses develop immunity, which alone is important information and will also greatly facilitate the identification of protective vaccine targets.

AAV-IRAP Gene Therapy to Prevent Osteoarthritis
Dr. Laurie Goodrich, Colorado State University -First Year
Osteoarthritis is a common affliction in horses, and current methods of treatment are effective only in reducing the pain, at best. This proposal will utilize gene therapy, which is a technique in which cells can be genetically modified or "re-programmed" to produce beneficial protein that will allow cartilage to heal. The initials in the project title stand for Adenoassociated Virus and Interluken Receptor Antagonist Protein. If cells in the joint could be re-programmed to produce IRAP, the devastating effects of joint inflammation could be halted and the progress of osteoarthritis could be reversed. These researchers' preliminary work utilizing AAV-IRAP suggests that cells of joints are easily re-programmed to produce beneficial protein. The aims of this project is to define the most appropriate dose of AAV-IRAP that will result in effective levels and answer the question of whether this approach can prevent osteoarthritis in the horse. This grant was selected by the board to receive the fifth annual Elastikon Equine Research Award.

Digital Hypothermia in Laminitis: Timing and Signaling
Dr. James Belknap, The Ohio State University -First Year
The most recent figures from a study involving the USDA and State Veterinary Medical Officers project that at any given time laminitis affects 8 of every 1,000 horses in the United States. Based on the American Horse Council survey that there are 9.5 million horses in the nation, that would indicate 76,000 horses being affected at any given time. Of those affected, the USDA survey found that 4.7% died or were euthanized, or about 3,572 deaths from laminitis annually. The authors of this project report that "an integrated research effort over the last decade has enhanced the current understanding of the pathophysiology of equine sepsis-related laminitis (one of numerous causes of the disease). This has mirrored progression of sepsis research in human medicine by moving from (an earlier) concept . . .to determining that a marked inflammatory injury takes place and is likely to play a prominent role in tissue injury and subsequent failure." However, there have been persistent failure of systemic therapies for organ/laminar injury in both human and equine medicine. One advantage laminitis presents is that it effects the hoof rather than visceral organs, lending itself to artificial cooling more readily. In a present project funded by the Foundation, digital hypothermia (cooling of the hoof) prior to onset of carbohydrate overload-induced equine sepsis resulted in dramatic decrease in laminar inflammatory signaling. The next goal is to find pharmaceutical therapies which can accomplish the same without the cumbersome aspects of maintaining constant hypothermia to the equine hoof (hooves).

Laminar Energy Failure in Supporting-Limb Laminitis
Dr. Andrew Van Eps, University of Queensland -First Year
A frequent and disheartening result of injury repair is that the leg opposite the one injured develops laminitis. This is known as supporting-limb laminitis and is what eventually caused Barbaro to be euthanized. Although it is a common occurrence, the mechanisms of the malady have not been established. This project is headed by a young researcher, but the co-investigators are world renowned Drs. Dean Richardson and Chris Pollitt. The project involves testing the hypothesis that supporting-limb laminitis is a result of reduced blood supply to the connection between hoof and bone (lamellar tissue). Further, that the blood supply in normal circumstances is encouraged by a regular loading and unloading of the legs and hooves (alternating which one is bearing the most weight). Injury to one leg interrupts that alternating pattern. The researchers will test the hypothesis with a state of the art, minimally invasive technique known as tissue mycrodialysis in conjunction with three dimensional computed tomography to develop effective methods of preventing or minimizing lamellar tissue energy failure. Comments in the Research Advisory Committee evaluations included "may well provide immediately applicable strategies to prevent supporting-limb laminitis" and "really nice grant, new idea about a devastating problem."

Investigation of Cell and Growth-Factor Dependent Tenogenesis
Dr. Martin A. Vidal, University of California-Davis -First Year
The crux of this study is to test preliminary indications that a newly developed in vitro tendon/ligament culture model will prove effective at determining the optimal cell type from bone marrow, fat tissue, umbilical cord, tendons, ligaments, and muscle to use in tendon and ligament repair. The model also will allow investigators to learn the early molecular and cellular signals in tendon and ligament tissue formation. The author states that current methods of healing result in inferior scar tissue and reinjury rates ranging from 23% to 67%. Transforming growth factor (TGF) combined with platelet rich plasma will be utilized, and tests will be done on how they affect tissue growth, strength, and composition."

Hormone in Use of Recombinant Equine Follicle Stimulating Anestrous Mares
Dr. Janet Roser, University of California-Davis –One Year
The complicated processes of estrus and pregnancy early in the year have been addressed by various management techniques, including artificial lighting and a variety of follicle stimulating hormones (FSH). These researchers, in a previous Grayson-funded study, have developed a genetically engineered form of FSH which, in a pilot study, indicated more efficacy than previous treatments and induced ovulation in anestrous mares with inactive ovaries. The proposed study will continue to test this procedure and, it is hypothesized, might prove effective without use of artificial lighting.

Stem Generation of Equine Induced Pluripotent Cells for Regenerative Therapy
Dr. Lisa Fortier, Cornell University -First Year
Stem cell based therapies are among avenues being tested with the goal of tendon cell regeneration to address tendonitis. The types of stem cells used so far may improve the structure of tendon healing, but appear to have limited regenerative ability or are limited due to potential issues of immune rejection. The author explains that, " . . . this proposal is to generate induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from equine adult dermal fibroblasts. iPS cells are the only stem cells that are both pluripotenent and autogenous, making them the most useful for clinical application. The expectation is that the results of the studies in this proposal will provide the first published description of the generation and characterization of equine iPS cells." This is part of a process of testing the overall hypothesis that equine iPS cells will enhance tendon regeneration in cases of tendonitis. Also, "the technical expertise gained in this study could be used in the future to generate autogenous iPS cells for use in equine cartilage and neuronal regeneration studies."

Early Diagnosis of Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy
Dr. Jonathan Cheetham, Cornell University -First Year
Laryngeal neuropathy, or "roaring," is estimated by the author to affect 8% of race horses and a higher percentage of sport horses. This researcher over the last three years has developed two non-invasive procedures to assess the cricoarytenoid dorsalis (CAD) muscle and the nerve that supplies it. The CAD muscle is the only muscle that opens the larynx during exercise. The present proposal will validate two diagnostic tests for early detecting of roaring in horses. The ability to identify young horses which are predisposed to become roarers would enable surgical intervention to restore the nerve supply before atrophy and fibrosis of the CAD muscle occurs.

Hemorrhagic Anovulatory Follicle Syndrome
Dr. Eduaro Gastal, Southern Illinois University -First Year
Hemorrhagic anovulatory follicles (which prevent ovulation from occurring) are an ongoing problem and, this researcher suggests, have become more commonplace in recent decades. He conjectures that use of drugs to shorten the estrous cycle and induce ovulation might have aggravated the problem among intensely management broodmares. This study will induce HAFs and create the opportunity to study the "systemic, intrafollicular, and cellular changes regarding hormones, growth factors, receptors, and enzymes when compared to follicles that ovulate normally." In other words, the researchers seeks to "uncover the mysteries behind the HAF syndrome."

In Vivo Gene Transfer for the Treatment of Laminitis
Dr. Dean Richardson, University of Pennsylvania -Second Year
This project seeks to develop a gene therapy approach to prevent laminitis in the contralateral hoof when a horse is being treated for a musculoskeletal injury. This, of course, was what eventually ended the efforts to save Barbaro and is a frequent threat to horses with hoof and leg injuries. The well known research team already has compelling preliminary data which encourages the hypothesis that use of recombinant adeno-associated viruses can be used as vectors to deliver a therapeutic gene (TMP-3) to the lamellar tissues. This is meant to inhibit the damage to the epidermal laminae without disrupting the normal hoof structure.

Factors Associated with Success and Failure of Early Pregnancy
Dr. Keith Betteridge, University of Guelph -Second Year
Pregnancy loss during the third week of gestation is a major problem in horses. Reviewers regarded it likely that this project will provide greater understanding of the interaction of the conceptus and the endometrium at that time of gestation. The probable understanding of proteins associated with early pregnancy loss will help in understanding mechanisms involved in both successful and failed pregnancies, and suggest possible methods of therapy. The techniques employed will include comparison of the transcriptomes of endometrium and trophoblast in successful and unsuccessful pregnancies, characterizing the influences of prostaglandin, and identifying factors produced by the fetus that correlate with the processes of its immobilization. The researchers will examine gene expression of associated proteins, etc., in normal and failed pregnancies to search for markers of early embryonic loss.

Mechanisms of Pulmonary Vein Remodeling in EIPH
Dr. Fred Derksen, Michigan State University -Second Year
This is the next step in a sequence of projects undertaken by Dr. Derksen, some funded by the Foundation. This research team has discovered scarring around blood vessels in the lungs of horses affected with Exercise Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH). It is believed that the scarring obstructs the veins, causing blood to back up in the lung and rupture its fragile small \blood vessels. The main goal of this next study is to determine why the scarring occurs, by studying changes in molecules in vein walls that occur in response to exercise, both in non-EIPH horses and EIPH horses. Understanding EIPH pathology in general and the vein scarring in particular is described as necessary before the ultimate goal of prevention or effective treatment could be achieved.

Systemic Effects of Analgesic Combinations in Horses
Dr. Chris Sanchez, University of Florida -Second Year
Management of pain is a key element in veterinary care of horses, especially those with colic or lameness. In addition to the humane urge to protect the animal from pain, there is a case management element in that the pain is often accompanied by severe inflammation that can lead to organ failure and founder. Many pain killers, however, have negative side effects including stomach ulcers, diarrhea, and kidney failure, so that seeking better pain killers is an important subject for research. This project will test lidocaine, ketamine, and butrophanol, individually, and in combinations not only for their pain killing properties but to verify that they have no adverse side effects on behavior, heart rate, respiratory rate, gastrointestinal function, or the immune system. The study is predicated on the belief that none of those ill effects will be manifested.

Rapid PCR Diagnosis of Equine Botulism Types A, B, and C
Dr. Raymond Sweeney, University of Pennsylvania -Second Year
Botulism occurs throughout North America and in any given year some cases can be expected. When it does strike, it can spread quickly, and last year one outbreak caused the death of 100 horses. Surviving botulism depends on rapid diagnosis, followed by antitoxin administration. One of the difficulties in managing botulism outbreaks is that the traditional diagnostic test requires two to three weeks. The goal here is to develop a test that can verify the disease much more rapidly. The Foundation funded this research team previously, and they have made major progress in developing a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for botulism type B. This work will continue that effort and extend to types A and C. The research capitalizes on recent progress in detection of botulism in humans, driven by the disease's potential as a bioterrorism threat.

Orthopedic and Genetic Roles in Wobbler Syndrome
Dr. James MacLeod, University of Kentucky -Second Year
Wobbler Syndrome carries a guarded to poor prognosis, and many afflicted horses are not good candidates for vertebral fusion and have to be euthanized. The focus of this project will be to examine the role of abnormal bone and cartilage formation in the neck vertebrae, and to identify regions of DNA and, potentially, even specific genes that are involved in Wobbler Syndrome. Technology will include three-dimensional X ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and DNA isolation. Variation in the DNA nucleotide sequence of more than 54,000 positions across the genome will be compared between horses afflicted and control-group horses. This study is intended to add to existing understanding of the cause and progression of Wobbler Syndrome and lead to improved management and therapeutic practices.

Equine Bone Regeneration with Adult Stem Cells
Dr. Mandi Lopez, Louisiana State University -Second Year
Adult stem cells in recent years have been the subjects of research to determine their potential to treat injuries in horses. Bone repair is one aspect which is being investigated. It requires about 70 million adult stem cells to repair a single cubic centimeter of bone. Only two types of tissues in mammals have been shown to have the potential to provide that many stem cells, i. e., adipose (fat) and bone marrow. The laboratory of this researcher has found that stem cells from both sources indicate the ability to form bone in cell experiments. Comparisons on the bone-forming abilities of fat-derived and bone-marrow-derived stem cells have not been done conclusively, and this project will address that important next question. The researchers believe that "results from this study will significantly advance treatment of broken bones in the horse."

Storm Cat Career Development Award
"Combinatorial Gene Therapy in Equine Chondrocytes," Dr. Kyla Ortved, Cornell University. One year, $15,000
The Sixth Annual Storm Cat Career Development Award recipient is Kyla Ortved, a post-doctoral fellow from Cornell University. Dr. Ortved will be working with Dr. Alan Nixon.
The $15,000 Storm Cat Career Development Award is underwritten by a board member, Mrs. Lucy Young Hamilton, and is named in honor of the distinguished stallion Storm Cat, which was bred by Mrs. Hamilton's father, W. T. Young, and stood at the family's Overbrook Farm in Kentucky. The Storm Cat Career Development Award was created to provide an early boost to an individual considering a career in equine research.