The equine mesenchymal stromal cell secretome inhibits equid herpesvirus type 1 strain Ab4 in epithelial cells.

This study researches the effect of a group of substances produced by a type of horse stem cell on stopping the spread of horse herpesvirus 1. Through different forms of testing, the substances were observed to hinder the virus’s growth, implying that these substances could be used in treating the infection.

Research Background

• Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) is a viral disease that frequently occurs in horses and spreads through close contact, primarily through nasal discharges from infected horses.
• The authors applied a type of equine stem cells, specifically peripheral blood derived mesenchymal stromal cells (PB-MSCs), to see if it would inhibit the growth of EHV-1. The PB-MSCs produce a variety of substances, referred to as the “secretome,” which was the factor being tested in this study.

Research Methodology

• The study evaluated the efficacy of the PB-MSC secretome in three settings: two in vitro trials (2D epithelial cell cultures named RK-13 and 3D equine nasal explants) and one in vivo trial (an EHV-1 infection mouse model).

Research Findings

• The PB-MSC secretome was found to inhibit the growth of EHV-1 in RK-13 cells and the epithelium of equine nasal explants, suggesting it has potential as a treatment in these contexts.
• An in vivo test on the mouse model showed that while the PB-MSC secretome did not decrease the overall severity of EHV-1 infection, as determined by weight loss and viral levels in the lungs, there was a notable local reduction of EHV-1 infection in the nasal epithelium.

Conclusion

• The research results suggest that the usage of PB-MSC secretome can inhibit EHV-1 in a certain context, specifically in epithelial cells. However, further research would be needed to validate these findings and assess potential implementation in veterinary care.