"Recurrent airway obstruction (heaves) is a big disease wherever horses are stabled. A horse with heaves may be unable to perform as an athlete. The condition is treatable in many respects but not entirely reversible."

 

Why is this important?

"Recurrent airway obstruction is a big disease wherever horses are stabled. With our cold climate horses are stabled much of the year and are therefore exposed to dust mites, bacteria and mould to which they become sensitive, leading to the development of recurrent lung inflammation. In horses, for reasons we don’t quite understand, this can become a vicious cycle that perpetuates itself leading to the condition commonly known as heaves." Dr. Bienzle adds, "A horse with heaves may be unable to perform as an athlete. The condition is treatable in many respects but not entirely reversible."

Research Laboratory: Main focus of the laboratory is to explore the role of secretoglobins (protein) in the development and progression of lung inflammation associated with exposure to environmental antigens (irritants) in the horse.

Research Focus: Clara cells are specialized epithelial (surface) cells in the terminal small airways of the horse. The cells secrete a surfactant-like substance important in preventing the small airways from collapsing during expiration as well as protective substances against infections. A protein called Clara Cell Protein 10 (CC10) is produced by these specialized cells and plays an important role in counteracting lung inflammation in horses with heaves or recurrent airway obstruction (more on heaves). During inflammation these cells are overwhelmed and destroyed and are unable to produce this protein. Dr. Bienzle and graduate student, Dr. Paula Katavolos, are seeking to understand more about what this protein normally does in a healthy horse and what it does in horses with chronic lung inflammation.

A scanning electron micrograph of a bronchiole (small airway) from a healthy horse showing cilia from epithelial cells surrounding non-ciliated Clara cells (in collaboration with C. Ackerley).

Image from a horse with heaves where Clara cells (stained brown) are sloughed into the lumen of the bronchus (airway).

Research Related Goals: Among Dr. Bienzle's goals are to provide better diagnostic tests for heaves by measuring Clara cell protein in lung secretion, such as, bronchial lavages, and to possibly treat horses with recombinant Clara cell protein 10.

Area of Specialty: Mechanisms of inflammation in recurrent airway obstruction

Degrees: DVM, MSc (University of Guelph), PhD (Mcmaster University), Diplomate ACVP (University of Georgia)

Position: Associate Professor, Pathology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph

Responsibilities:
Clinical duties: clinical pathologist
Teaching: at both undergraduate and graduate levels
Committees: Chair of Suspected Animal Abuse Reporting Committee and Member of the Curriculum Committee
Chair: Appointed Canada Research Chair

Horse background & Current horse ownership:
Dr. Bienzle grew up in Germany riding horses all her life with a focus on eventing. She currently owns 1 horse.

- Scarlett Magda