The Equine Hoof: Laminitis, Progenitor (Stem) Cells, and Therapy Development

Abstract

The equine hoof capsule, composed of modified epidermis and dermis, is vital for protecting the third phalanx from forces of locomotion. There are descriptions of laminitis, defined as inflammation of sensitive hoof tissues but recognized as pathologic changes with or without inflammatory mediators, in the earliest records of domesticated horses. Laminitis can range from mild to serious, and signs can be acute, chronic, or transition from acute, severe inflammation to permanently abnormal tissue. Damage within the intricate dermal and epidermal connections of the primary and secondary lamellae is often associated with lifelong changes in hoof growth, repair, and conformation. Decades of research contribute to contemporary standards of care that include systemic and local therapies as well as mechanical hoof support. Despite this, consistent mechanisms to restore healthy tissue formation following a laminitic insult are lacking. Endogenous and exogenous progenitor cell contributions to healthy tissue formation is established for most tissues. There is comparably little information about equine hoof progenitor cells. Equine hoof anatomy, laminitis, and progenitor cells are covered in this review. The potential of progenitor cells to advance in vitro equine hoof tissue models and translate to clinical therapies may significantly improve prevention and treatment of a devastating condition that has afflicted equine companions throughout history.

Regenerative Medicine for Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases

“…Laminitis is a disease characterised by inflammation or disruption of the lamellae located inside the hoof [ 283 , 284 , 285 , 286 , 287 , 288 ]. The epidermal and dermal lamellae connect the hoof wall and the distal phalanx (aka pedal bone) and thus have a crucial role in maintaining the normal suspensory apparatus of the hoof.…”

“…The epidermal and dermal lamellae connect the hoof wall and the distal phalanx (aka pedal bone) and thus have a crucial role in maintaining the normal suspensory apparatus of the hoof. While the epidermal lamellae are non-sensitive and avascular, the dermal lamellae have a vast vascular network in a thick matrix of connective tissue [ 288 ]. Damage to the supporting lamellae will disrupt the delicate balance of the supporting mechanism, resulting in separation of the pedal bone from the hoof wall.…”

“…Damage to the supporting lamellae will disrupt the delicate balance of the supporting mechanism, resulting in separation of the pedal bone from the hoof wall. In severe cases, this separation can lead to penetration of the bone through the sole of the hoof or complete detachment of the hoof from the underlying bone [ 283 , 285 , 287 , 288 ].…”

“…Although clinical research in the field of PRP (and regenerative therapies in general) for bone repair is limited, promising results could be seen from in vitro and experimental in vivo trials, which lay the base for further research in the future. Laminitis is a disease characterised by inflammation or disruption of the lamellae located inside the hoof [283][284][285][286][287][288]. The epidermal and dermal lamellae connect the hoof wall and the distal phalanx (aka pedal bone) and thus have a crucial role in maintaining the normal suspensory apparatus of the hoof.…”

Potencial terapêutico de células-tronco mesenquimais na laminite equina

“…Nesse contexto, estudos têm mostrado que a terapia celular teve uma influência positiva na cura de várias lesões ortopédicas em equinos (Godwin, Young, Dudhia, Beamish & Smith, 2008;Lacitignola, Crovace, Rossi & Francioso, 2008;Oliveira et al, 2011;Dryden & Morrison., 2013). Ademais, devido às características e funções que as células troncos mesenquimais possuem, seu uso no tratamento de laminite equina é defendido em diversos trabalhos, sendo vista como uma opção terapêutica eficaz para essa enfermidade (Dryden & Morrison, 2013;Angelone et al, 2017;Yang & Lopez, 2019).…”