Safety assessment of equine allogeneic tenogenic primed mesenchymal stem cells in horses with naturally occurring tendon and ligament injuries.
- Journal Article
Summary
The research article explores the safety and efficacy of using tenogenic primed mesenchymal stem cells (tpMSCs) in horses with tendon and ligament injuries. The researchers found that the tpMSCs safely influenced immune responses without causing abnormal changes in hematological or biochemical parameters.
Objective of the Study
The main aim of the study was to investigate the impact of tpMSCs on biochemical, immunological, hematological, and immunomodulatory functions in horses with naturally occurring injuries. The researchers were keen to assess the potential of these cells as a therapeutic tool in the treatment of superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) and suspensory ligament (SL) injuries.
- The researchers tested the immunogenicity and immunomodulatory capacities of tpMSCs in a modified mixed lymphocyte reaction.
- They used peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 14 horses with either SDFT or SL injuries, treated with tpMSCs, for this part of the study.
Methodology and Findings
The researchers performed a second study, where they divided 18 horses with tendon and ligament injuries into two groups. One group received an intralesional injection with tpMSCs, while the other group was left untreated.
- The key finding in this part of the study was that injecting tpMSCs did not trigger a cellular immune response.
- Also, tpMSCs demonstrated the ability to influence or immunomodulate stimulated T lymphocytes.
- Moreover, using tpMSCs did not lead to changes in hematologic or biochemical parameters, indicating their potential safety as a therapeutic tool.
Limitations
The study had a few limitations, which included:
- It had a small sample size, which might limit the generalization of its findings.
- No statistical analyses were performed in the second study, which could potentially affect the interpretation of the results.
- Fibrinogen was only analyzed in a single horse prior to treatment, which might not give a comprehensive view of the effect of treatment on fibrinogen levels.
Conclusion
The study concluded that tpMSCs did not trigger a cellular immune response when used for treating tendon or ligament injuries in horses. Also, the use of these cells did not result in abnormal changes in hematological or biochemical parameters. These findings suggest that tpMSCs might be safe to use in treating similar conditions, but more comprehensive studies are needed to confirm these results.
Cite This Article
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Stephanie Carlier, Kortrijk, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Medicine Belgium, Evergem, Belgium.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Veterinary Medicine Belgium, Evergem, Belgium.
- Department of Large Animal Surgery, Anaesthesia and Orthopaedics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Department of Morphology, Imaging, Orthopedics, Rehabilitation and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
- Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA, Athens, GA, United States.
Conflict of Interest Statement
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