Equine adipose-tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells and platelet concentrates: their association in vitro and in vivo

Abstract

Equine mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) are of particular interest both for basic research and for the therapeutic approach to musculoskeletal diseases in the horse. Their multilineage differentiation potential gives them the capability to contribute to the repair of tendon, ligament and bone damage. MSCs are also considered a promising therapeutic aid in allogeneic cell transplantation, since they show low immunogenicity and immunomodulating functions.Adipose tissue-derived adult equine stem cells (AdMSC) can be isolated, expanded in vitro and then inoculated into the damaged tissue, eventually in the presence of a biological scaffold. Here we report our preliminary experience with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in allogeneic cell-therapy of tendonitis in the horse. MSCs, derived from visceral adipose tissue, were grown in the presence of autologous platelet lysate and characterized for their differentiation and growth potential. Expanded AdMSC were inoculated into the damaged tendon after their dispersion in activated platelet-rich plasma (PRP), a biological scaffold that plays an important role in maintaining cells in defect sites and contributes to tissue healing. Fourteen out of sixteen treated horses showed a functional recovery and were able to return to their normal activity.

Adipose tissue as mesenchymal stem cells source in equine tendinitis treatment

“…There are therapeutic studies about the equine species using the allogenic implantation (material from other animal) of AdMSCs in the tendon. These studies show that there was no inflammatory reaction in the animals implanted with progenitor cells from other animals (DEL BUE et al, 2008).…”

“…The gene expression assessment showed increased cartilage oligomeric matrix protein(COMP) in the treated tendons (NIXON et al, 2008). From this study on, other researchers used AdMSCs (CARVALHO et al, 2011(CARVALHO et al, , 2014a(CARVALHO et al, , 2014b, or AdMSCs in combination with platelet concentrate (PC) in equine tendinitis therapies (DEL BUE et al, 2008;CARVALHO et al, 2013a;RICCO et al, 2013;GUERCIO et al, 2015). The best medium for MSCs suspension at therapy time remains unknown.…”

“…There is the belief that the bone marrow supernatant has beneficial effect when it is used along with the progenitor cells (SMITH; WEBBON, 2005). Something similar is done with the AdMSCs suspended in PC, which, after its activation, promotes the formation of a supporting structure so that the injected progenitor cells remain accommodated, as well as promotes the production of growth factors that may also help tissue repair (DEL BUE et al, 2008). It is worth highlighting that PC is an easily-obtained biological autologous product gotten through total blood platelet concentration; its processing is fast and demands low costs (TEXTOR; TABLIN, 2012).…”

“…The main results in the current study were the improved organization of treated tendons and the increased gene expression of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). Other studies using AdMSCs to treat equine tendinitis were also conducted; they led to promising results (DEL BUE et al, 2008;CARVALHO et al, 2011CARVALHO et al, , 2013aCARVALHO et al, , 2014aRICCO et al, 2013).…”

Effects of steroids on the morphology and proliferation of canine and equine mesenchymal stem cells of adipose origin — in vitro research

“…In veterinary regenerative medicine, stem cell therapies are becoming more and more available, e.g. in the regeneration of skeletal muscle and tendon injuries (Puissant et al, 2005;Del Bue et al, 2008;Brown et al, 2012;Lin et al, 2012). The use of AdMSCs in veterinary practice is supported not only by their multipotent character and plasticity, but also by their immunomodulatory properties, manifested in the reduction of inflammatory processes.…”