Abstract: Bone marrow and adipose tissues are known sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in horses; however, synovial tissues might be a promising alternative. The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic characteristics and differentiation potential of equine MSCs from synovial fluid (SF) and synovial membrane (SM) of healthy joints (SF-H and SM-H), joints with osteoarthritis (SF-OA and SM-OA) and joints with osteochondritis dissecans (SF-OCD and SM-OCD) to determine the most suitable synovial source for an allogeneic therapy cell bank. Methods: Expression of the markers CD90, CD105, CD44, and CD34 in SF-H, SM-H, SF-OA, SM-OA, SF-OCD and SM-OCD was verified by flow cytometry, and expression of cytokeratin, vimentin, PGP 9.5, PCNA, lysozyme, nanog, and Oct4 was verified by immunocytochemistry. MSCs were cultured and evaluated for their chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential. Final quantification of extracellular matrix and mineralized matrix was determined using AxioVision software. A tumorigenicity test was conducted in Balb-C(nu/nu) mice to verify the safety of the MSCs from these sources. Results: Cultured cells from SF and SM exhibited fibroblastoid morphology and the ability to adhere to plastic. The time elapsed between primary culture and the third passage was approximately 73 days for SF-H, 89 days for SF-OCD, 60 days for SF-OA, 68 days for SM-H, 57 days for SM-OCD and 54 days for SM-OA. The doubling time for SF-OCD was higher than that for other cells at the first passage (P < 0.05). MSCs from synovial tissues showed positive expression of the markers CD90, CD44, lysozyme, PGP 9.5, PCNA and vimentin and were able to differentiate into chondrogenic (21 days) and osteogenic (21 days) lineages, and, although poorly, into adipogenic lineages (14 days). The areas staining positive for extracellular matrix in the SF-H and SM-H groups were larger than those in the SF-OA and SM-OA groups (P < 0.05). The positive mineralized matrix area in the SF-H group was larger than those in all the other groups (P < 0.05). The studied cells exhibited no tumorigenic effects. Conclusions: SF and SM are viable sources of equine MSCs. All sources studied provide suitable MSCs for an allogeneic therapy cell bank; nevertheless, MSCs from healthy joints may be preferable for cell banking purposes because they exhibit better chondrogenic differentiation capacity.
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This research study seeks to determine if synovial fluid and synovial membranes from healthy and injured horse joints could be a potential source of mesenchymal stem cells for therapeutic cell bank. The stem cells from the synovial tissues were assessed for phenotypic characteristics and differentiation potential, and the results suggested that healthy tissues may provide a better source of cells for therapeutic purposes.
Research Methods
The researchers investigated the different potential sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in horses, focusing on synovial fluid (SF) and synovial membrane (SM) from healthy joints, and joints with osteoarthritis (OA) and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD).
They evaluated the expression of markers, such as CD90, CD105, CD44, and CD34, in the SF and SM from healthy, OA, and OCD samples using flow cytometry.
Using immunocytochemistry, they also verified the expression of cytokeratin, vimentin, PGP 9.5, PCNA, lysozyme, nanog, and Oct4 – proteins that indicate the MSCs’ characteristics and their capacity for differentiation.
They then cultured released MSCs from these tissues and assessed their capacity to differentiate into chondrogenic, osteogenic and adipogenic lineages.
Furthermore, a tumorigenicity test was conducted using Balb-C(nu/nu) mice to check for potential tumour-inducing capabilities of the sourced MSCs.
Research Findings
The researchers found that the stem cells sourced from SF and SM had fibroblastoid (fibroblast-like) morphology and could adhere to plastic – typical characteristics of MSCs.
Average time elapsed between the primary culture and the third passage varied for each group, with MSCs from osteoarthritis joints showing the quickest growth rates.
The MSCs demonstrated the ability to differentiate into chondrogenic and osteogenic lineages, and showed partial capability to differentiate into adipogenic lineages.
Healthy joint-derived MSCs exhibited larger areas positive for extracellular matrix (ECM), implying better ability to generate structural support for tissues.
Mesenchymal stem cells from all synovial tissues, whether healthy or diseased, did not induce any tumorigenic effects in mice, which emphasizes their safety as a source for MSCs.
Conclusion
Both synovial fluid and synovial membrane in horses, irrespective of the health status of the joint, are viable and safe sources of mesenchymal stem cells.
However, MSCs derived from healthy joints performed better in the aspect of chondrogenic differentiation, making them potentially more suitable for cell banking purposes, particularly for treatments aimed at cartilage regeneration.
Cite This Article
APA
Fülber J, Maria DA, da Silva LC, Massoco CO, Agreste F, Baccarin RY.
(2016).
Comparative study of equine mesenchymal stem cells from healthy and injured synovial tissues: an in vitro assessment.
Stem Cell Res Ther, 7, 35.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-016-0294-3
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. fulberjoice@yahoo.com.br.
Maria, Durvanei A
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Butantan Institute, Avenida Vital Brasil 1500, São Paulo, 05503-900, SP, Brazil. durvanei.maria@butantan.gov.br.
da Silva, Luis Cláudio Lopes Correia
Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, SP, 05508-270, SP, Brazil. silvalc@usp.br.
Massoco, Cristina O
Department of Pathology, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, 05508-270, SP, Brazil. cmassoco@gmail.com.
Agreste, Fernanda
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. fe_nandara@hotmail.com.
Baccarin, Raquel Y Arantes
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo (USP), Avenida Prof. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. baccarin@usp.br.
MeSH Terms
Animals
Antigens, CD / metabolism
Carcinogenicity Tests
Cells, Cultured
Female
Horse Diseases / pathology
Horse Diseases / therapy
Horses
Male
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
Mice, Inbred BALB C
Mice, Nude
Osteoarthritis / pathology
Osteoarthritis / therapy
Osteoarthritis / veterinary
Synovial Fluid
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