Allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in healthy equine superficial digital flexor tendon: A study of the local inflammatory response.

This study examines the local inflammatory response to the transplantation of allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) in horses’ tendons. It found no significant differences in physical or morphological responses when compared to autologous transplantation or controls.

Research Objectives

• The main purpose of this research was to study the inflammatory response induced by allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell transplantation in healthy equine tendons.
• Additionally, this research sought to compare the inflammatory response to allogeneic stem cell transplantation with autologous transplantation in which the cells come from the same individual.

Methodology

• Nine horses were used in the study. Their eighteen thoracic limbs were divided into three groups: an allogeneic group, an autologous group, and a control group.
• The allogeneic group received an application of AT-MSCs from another horse into the tendon, the autologous group received an application of AT-MSCs from their own tissue, and the control group was treated with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS).
• Several different analyses were performed on the horses, including physical, morphological, thermography, and ultrasonography for comparison purposes.

Findings

• The study found no significant physical or morphological differences among the groups following the application of AT-MSCs.
• The autologous group showed a higher number of CD3-positive lymphocytes compared to the control group, although the relevance of this finding is not discussed.
• The expression of CD172 and microvascular density was also not different among the groups, indicating that the transplantation of AT-MSCs does not affect these parameters.
• Importantly, the study found that allogeneic transplantation of AT-MSCs does not induce an adverse or inflammatory reaction that could compromise the use of these cells.

Conclusion

• The results of the study suggest that allogeneic AT-MSC transplantation doesn’t result in an adverse local inflammatory response in equine tendons. This finding may open the way for more research into the use of allogeneic stem cells in regenerative medicine.