Evaluation of mesenchymal stem cell migration after equine tendonitis therapy.

The research investigates using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for treating equine tendonitis and determines whether these cells migrate from the treatment site to another injury in the horse’s body.

Objective

The objective of the study was to observe if MSCs, implanted in one tendon for treatment, could migrate to an injury in a tendon located on the opposite side.

Methods

• Four healthy horses had adipose-derived MSCs isolated from their body. This type of stem cell can metamorphose into various cell types, offering potential for healing and repair.
• Artificial lesions were created in the horse’s superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), situated in both forelimbs. This tendon often experiences injuries in the real world, hence the choice.
• These isolated MSCs were tagged with nanocrystals for tracking and then implanted into one of the artificially injured tendons.
• The research team then used fluorescent microscopy for biopsy samples from the SDFT injuries, and flow cytometry for peripheral blood mononuclear cells, to locate these tagged MSCs.

Results

• Tagged MSCs were found in the bloodstream of all test subjects, showing a migration of cells from the implantation site.
• However, these labelled cells were only found in the SDFTs that had been treated with the intralesional implants of MSCs. This means the cells did not migrate to the untreated tendon injuries.

Conclusion

• The research concludes that nanocrystals were an effective tool in tracking MSCs in this tendonitis treatment study.
• Notably, while MSCs did reach the bloodstream, they did not migrate to untreated injuries in the horse’s body – in this case, the SDFT on the opposite limb. As such, a direct implantation of MSCs into each injury may be necessary for effective healing.