Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in horses: useful beyond orthopedic injuries?
Abstract: In the past decade, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have received much attention in equine veterinary medicine. The first therapeutic use of equine MSC was reported in 2003. Since then, the clinical application of MSC has been exploding with thousands of horses now treated worldwide. At present, MSC are mainly used in veterinary medicine to treat musculoskeletal diseases based on their ability to differentiate into various tissues of mesodermal origin. This is in marked contrast to human medicine, where MSC therapies are primarily focused on immune-mediated, inflammatory, and ischemic diseases. In this review, both orthopedic as well as non-orthopedic clinical applications of equine MSC are discussed. A brief overview is provided on the potential of MSC for non-orthopedic injuries with emphasis on those diseases, which occur in both humans and horses.
Publication Date: 2013-05-22 PubMed ID: 23697553DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2013.800250Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Review
Summary
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The research article discusses the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in veterinary medicine, specifically in horses. While the focus has traditionally been on treating musculoskeletal diseases, the article suggests exploring non-orthopedic applications, mirroring uses in human medicine.
Introduction to Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) in Veterinary Medicine
- This research primarily discusses the application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in equine veterinary medicine, highlighting how its usage has been dramatically increasing since its first reported therapeutic use in 2003.
- Thousands of horses globally have been treated with MSC, demonstrating the widespread acceptance of this therapy in the field.
- The article notes that there is a primary focus on using MSC to treat musculoskeletal diseases in horses owing to the cells’ ability to differentiate into various tissues with a mesodermal origin.
Comparison with Human Medicine
- The article contrasts the use of MSC in veterinary medicine with human medicine. In humans, MSC therapies are largely focused on treating immune-mediated, inflammatory, and ischemic diseases.
- This difference in application suggests that there is potential for expanding the use of MSC in veterinary medicine into non-orthopedic applications, emulating the broader array of MSC uses in human medicine.
Potential Non-Orthopedic Applications of MSC in Veterinary Medicine
- The researchers discuss potential clinical applications of equine MSC beyond orthopedic uses.
- Specific emphasis is placed on the potential of MSC for treating non-orthopedic injuries that are common in both humans and horses. While these diseases are not specified in the synopsis, they suggest a broader application of MSC in veterinary medicine.
- Overall, the abstract hints at an attempt to explore and potentially expand the current boundaries of MSC application in veterinary medicine.
Cite This Article
APA
De Schauwer C, Van de Walle GR, Van Soom A, Meyer E.
(2013).
Mesenchymal stem cell therapy in horses: useful beyond orthopedic injuries?
Vet Q, 33(4), 234-241.
https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2013.800250 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- a Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine , Ghent University , Merelbeke , Belgium.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cell Differentiation / physiology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / therapy
- Horses
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / standards
- Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation / veterinary
- Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / pathology
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy
- Musculoskeletal Diseases / veterinary
Citations
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