Current Status on Canine Foetal Fluid and Adnexa Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

: Effective standards of care treatment guidelines have been developed for many canine diseases. However, a subpopulation of patients is partially or completely refractory to these protocols, so their owners seek novel therapies such as treatments with MSCs. Although in dogs, as with human medicine, the most studied MSCs sources have been bone marrow and adipose tissue, in recent years, many researchers have drawn attention towards alternative sources, such as foetal adnexa and fluid, since they possess many advantages over bone marrow and adipose tissue. Foetal adnexa and fluid could be considered as discarded material; therefore, sampling is non-invasive, inexpensive and free from ethical considerations. Furthermore, MSCs derived from foetal adnexa and fluid preserve some of the characteristics of the primitive embryonic layers from which they originate and seem to present immune-modulatory properties that make them a good candidate for allo- and xenotransplantation. The aim of the present review is to offer an update on the state of the art on canine MSCs derived from foetal adnexa and fluid focusing on the findings in their clinical setting.

Clinical Trial on the Usefulness of On-Site Evaluation of Canine Fetal Fluids by Reagent Test Strip in Puppies at Elective Caesarean Section

“…Moreover, at the time of parturition, when caesarean section is performed, fetal fluids (amniotic and allantoic) can be easily and securely sampled, as demonstrated by many studies [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Other than that, the canine fetal fluids were also useful for mesenchymal stem cells isolation and growth as a model of these cell’s biology study and for possible therapeutic application [ 19 , 20 ]. From a hormonal standpoint, canine fetal fluids collected along pregnancy during ovariohysterectomy have been studied also to possibly assess the beginning of thyroid gland function in canine fetuses through the measurement of thyroid hormones [ 21 ] and for a better understanding of the fetal endocrine system development [ 22 ].…”

Stem Cells in Domestic Animals: Applications in Health and Production

“…The benefits of these cells compared to adult MSCs are due to their origin from extraembryonic tissues; in fact, because they are at the maternal—foetal interface, these cells present low immunogenicity and immunomodulatory properties, making them a good candidate for allo- and xenotransplantation [ 24 ]. Iacono et al [ 25 ], in their review, observed that, like reported in human and other animal species, also in dog MSCs derived from foetal fluid and adnexa may have an attraction compared to other established SCs in different clinical approaches, although more in vitro studies on their metabolism and clinical applications are needed to fully understand their properties and to establish the future clinical use in the treatment of various diseases. In this contest, Humenik et al [ 26 ] described the effective protocols for the isolation of MSCs from canine bone marrow, adipose tissue, and amnion membrane, showing differences in yield of isolation, morphology, phenotype, multilineage potential, and proliferation activity.…”