The genetic background of congenital portosystemic shunts in dogs

Congenital disorders of the hepatic portal vasculature are rare in man, but occur frequently in certain dog breeds. Congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSS) is the collective term for two subtypes; extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS) and intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (IHPSS). The dog is very well suited to study a broad variety of naturally occurring diseases which have similar phenotypes in both humans and dogs. The research into CPSS in dogs may lead to the identification of novel genes and pathways cooperating in growth and development of the hepatic portal vein tree. The same pathways may regulate the development of the vascular system of regenerating livers during liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis. Therefore the identification of these molecular pathways may provide a basis for future pro-regenerative intervention. This thesis describes the increased knowledge in the pathogenesis of CPSS.