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Home / Equine Research Bank / Front Bioeng Biotechnol / Biocompatibility of hydrogel derived from equine tendon extr...
Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology2024; 11; 1296743; doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1296743

Biocompatibility of hydrogel derived from equine tendon extracellular matrix in horses subcutaneous tissue.

Abstract: Tendinopathies account for a substantial proportion of musculoskeletal injuries. To improve treatment outcomes for partial and total tendon ruptures, new therapies are under investigation. These include the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biocompatible scaffolds derived from the Extracellular Matrix (ECM). Synthetic polymer hydrogels have not demonstrated results as promising as those achieved with ECM hydrogels sourced from the original tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the biocompatibility of a hydrogel formulated from equine tendon ECM. Six horses were administered three subcutaneous doses of the hydrogel, with a saline solution serving as a control. Biopsies were conducted on days 7, 14, and 56 post-application to gauge the hydrogel's impact. Throughout the experiment, the horse's physical condition remained stable. Thermographic analyses revealed a temperature increase in the treated groups compared to the control group within the initial 12 h. The von Frey test, used to measure the mechanical nociceptive threshold, also showed significant differences between the treated group and the control group at 6 h, 21 days, and 28 days. Histopathological analyses identified an inflammatory response on day 7, which was absent on days 14 and 56. Transmission electron microscopy indicated a decrease in inflammatory cellularity, while immunohistochemistry staining suggested an increased presence of inflammatory factors on day 14. In summary, the hydrogel is easily injectable, triggers a temporary local inflammatory response, and integrates into the adjacent tissue from day 14 onwards.
Copyright © 2024 De Castilho, Rosa, Stievani, Apolônio, Pfeifer, Altheman, Palialogo, Santos, Fonseca-Alves and Alves.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-08 PubMed ID: 38260745PubMed Central: PMC10801062DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2023.1296743Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the biocompatibility of a hydrogel derived from horse tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) as a potential new therapy for tendon injuries in horses.

Overview of the Research

  • The research revolves around finding effective therapies for tendon injuries. With tendinopathies being a major proportion of musculoskeletal injuries, a better solution is needed to treat ruptures – whether partial or total. Current promising treatments include mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and biocompatible scaffolds derived from Extracellular Matrix (ECM).
  • This study focuses on determining the biocompatibility of a hydrogel that originates from equine tendon ECM. Researchers have noted that synthetic polymer hydrogels have not shown as much success as those derived from natural ECM.
  • The ECM hydrogel treatment was tested on six horses under controlled conditions. Each horse was administered three subcutaneous doses of the hydrogel, while a saline solution was used as a control. The aim of this approach was to examine the impact of the ECM hydrogel on the horses’ epitendineum (sheath surrounding the tendon).

Results and Findings

  • The physical condition of all the horses remained stable throughout the experiment, indicating no significant adverse reactions to the hydrogel treatment.
  • Thermographic analyses revealed a temperature increase in the areas treated with hydrogel. This indicates a physiological response to the hydrogel in comparison with the saline control group.
  • The von Frey test (used to measure the mechanical nociceptive threshold, or pain response) indicated some variations between the control group and the treated group. Changes in this threshold were noticed 6 hours post-treatment, and at the 21 and 28 day marks. This suggests some form of response to the treatment, but more information would be needed for a conclusive interpretation.
  • Histopathological analysis (detailed microscopic examination of tissues) showed an inflammatory response on day 7 post-application, which wasn’t present on day 14 and 56 — indicating the body’s initial reaction to a foreign substance that subsided over time.
  • The use of transmission electron microscopy revealed a drop in inflammatory cellularity. Concurrently, immunohistochemistry staining illustrated an increase in inflammatory factors on day 14, which may signal the initiation of the body’s healing response.
  • Overall, the results suggest that the ECM hydrogel is easy to administer via injection, leads to a short-lived local inflammatory response, and starts integrating with adjacent tissue by day 14 post-application.

Cite This Article

APA
De Castilho T, Rosa GDS, Stievani FC, Apolônio EVP, Pfeifer JPH, Altheman VG, Palialogo V, Santos NJD, Fonseca-Alves CE, Alves ALG. (2024). Biocompatibility of hydrogel derived from equine tendon extracellular matrix in horses subcutaneous tissue. Front Bioeng Biotechnol, 11, 1296743. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2023.1296743

Publication

Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
ISSN: 2296-4185
NlmUniqueID: 101632513
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 11
Pages: 1296743
PII: 1296743

Researcher Affiliations

De Castilho, Thiago
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Rosa, Gustavo Dos Santos
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Stievani, Fernanda de Castro
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Apolônio, Emanuel Vítor Pereira
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Pfeifer, João Pedro Hübbe
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Altheman, Vittoria Guerra
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Palialogo, Valéria
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Santos, Nilton José Dos
  • Laboratory of Metabolic Disorders, School of Applied Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil.
Fonseca-Alves, Carlos Eduardo
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.
Alves, Ana Liz Garcia
  • Department of Veterinary Surgery and Animal Reproduction, Regenerative Medicine Lab, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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