Subconjunctival bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy as a novel treatment alternative for equine immune-mediated keratitis: A case series.

This research article explores the use of bone marrow-derived stem cell therapy as a new treatment for equine immune-mediated keratitis, a condition that causes increased corneal opacity and inflammation in horses. The results of treating four horses with this novel therapy indicate a promising decrease in symptoms and good tolerability of the treatment.

Research Background and Purpose

• The research was primarily conducted to explore new treatments for equine immune-mediated keratitis (IMMK). IMMK is a condition that leads to increased corneal opacity and inflammation in horses, and is believed to be caused by alterations to the local immune system.
• The conventional treatments for this condition do not always produce satisfactory results, leading the researchers to investigate alternative therapies.

Methodology

• The researchers used bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC), known for their immune-modulating and anti-inflammatory properties, to treat the IMMK.
• The BM-MSC therapy was administered in an autologous manner, i.e., the stem cells used for the treatment were harvested from the same horse’s bone marrow.
• The bone marrow was harvested and processed as per the established procedures previously used for treating equine orthopedic diseases.
• Four horses, all with unilateral IMMK and unresponsiveness to traditional treatments, were treated with subconjunctival BM-MSC injections every 3-4 weeks, for a total of 1-5 treatments.
• All the horses were kept on their existing medical treatment regimen throughout the BM-MSC treatment period.

Findings

• Of the four horses treated, three showed a positive response to the BM-MSC therapy: their corneal clarity improved, there was a reduction in neovascularization (the abnormal growth of blood vessels into the cornea), and their surface irregularity was reduced.
• One horse did not respond to the therapy.
• The researchers concluded that the BM-MSC therapy presented both safety and potential efficacy as a treatment for IMMK based on their experimental results.

Conclusion

• The article presents a novel potential alternative treatment for equine immune-mediated keratitis, using the animal’s own stem cells to modulate the local immune response and reduce inflammation.
• Further dedicated research may help optimize the treatment regimen and further establish the effectiveness and tolerability of this promising therapeutic approach.