Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) is a dysfunction in tear production associated with clinical signs, which include conjunctival hyperemia, ocular discharge, discomfort, pain, and, eventually, corneal vascularization and pigmentation. Immunosuppressive drugs are routinely administrated for long periods to treat KCS but with side effects and limited results. Evaluation of the clinical benefits of intralacrimal transplantation of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in dogs with mild-moderate and severe KCS was done. A total of 24 eyes with KCS from 15 dogs of different breeds were enrolled in the present study. A single transplantation of MSCs (1 × 10 6 ) directly into lacrimal glands (dorsal and third eyelid) was performed. The Schirmer tear tests (STTs) and ocular surface improvements were used to assess short-and long-term effects of these cells. The STTs were carried out on day 0 (before MSCs transplantation) and on days 7, 14, 21, and 28, as well as 6 and 12 months after MSC transplantation. Our data demonstrate that allogeneic MSC transplantation in KCS dogs is safe since no adverse effects were observed immediately after transplantation and in short-and long-term follow-ups. A statistically significant increase in the STT and ocular surface improvements was found in all eyes studied. In all the eyes with mild-moderate KCS, STT values reverted to those of healthy eyes, while in eyes with severe KCS, although complete reversion was not found, there was improvement in tear production and in other clinical signs. Our study shows that a single dose of a low number of MSCs can be used to treat KCS in dogs. In contrast to immunosuppressive drug use, MSC transplantation has an effect over a long period (up to 12 months), even after a single administration, and does not require daily drug administration.

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Acute renal failure (ARF) is a common renal disease that can lead to high mortality. Recovery from ARF occurs with the replacement of necrotic tubular cells by functional tubular epithelial cells and the normalization of microvascular endothelial cell function in the peritubular capillaries. Conventional therapeutic techniques are often ineffective against ARF. Hence, stem cell therapies, which act through multiple trophic and regenerative mechanisms, are encouraging. We investigated the homing of human immature dental pulp stem cells We found that IDPSCs demonstrate renotropic and pericyte-like properties and contributed to restore renal tubule structure in an experimental rat ARF model.

Mouse lines selected for maximal (AIRmax) or minimal acute inflammatory reaction (AIRmin) were used to characterize the immune response and the influence of genetic background during pristane-induced arthritis (PIA). Susceptible AIRmax mice demonstrated exacerbated cellular profiles during PIA, with intense infiltration of lymphocytes, as well as monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils, producing higher levels of IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, total IgG3, and chemokines. Resistant AIRmin mice controlled cell activation more efficiently than the AIRmax during arthritis progression. The weight alterations of the spleen and thymus in the course of PIA were observed. Our data suggest that selected AIRmax cellular and genetic immune mechanisms contribute to cartilage damage and arthritis severity, evidencing many targets for therapeutic actions.

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Background: Chronic superficial keratitis (CSK) is an ocular condition in dogs characterized by corneal opacification leading to visual function impairment. Control of this chronic condition requires use of topical immunomodulators or corticosteroids daily. Regenerative medicine has shown promising results in several fields of medicine. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical effect of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) of adipose tissue applied via subconjunctival in dogs with CSK. Methods: A series of cases of 8 dogs diagnosed with CSK were divided into 2 groups, 4 dogs each, the conventional treatment (CT) received Prednisolone 1% as topical eye drops and the experimental group (EG) received allogeneic MSCs transplantation. The dogs had not previously been treated for CSK. Systemic and ophthalmologic examinations were performed to exclude other abnormalities. An administered amount of MSC (1x106 cells each time) were injected via subconjunctival in the peri-limbal region at 0 and 30 days. The animals were followed for 110 days to clinical evaluation, and, at the same time, the images of the corneal abnormalities were obtained and analyzed in the ImageJ software. The statistical analysis was performed in the GrandPrism 7.0 software. Results: Initial and final images revealed that areas with neovascularization, inflammatory infiltrate and opacity regressed in most eyes in both groups (7/8 eyes in each group) at the end of the 110 days, p = 0.0391 and p = 0.0078 respectively, but this response was minor in the EG comparing to CT (p = 0.026). No local or systemic side effects were observed. Conclusions: Despite the small melioration, MSCs treatment suggests clinical improvement in patients with CSK after 110 days without any local or systemic side effects. However, the improvement achieved was significantly less than the observed within CT group. Further studies still are needed to evaluate the use and benefits of stem cells as an adjunct treatment for CSK.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells derived from canine adipose tissue in the healing process of full-thickness mesh skin grafts in rabbits. The stem cells were collected from young dogs; and, after characterization, remained in cryopreservation, in independent doses containing 2 x 106 cells. The mesh distal limb graft technique was performed in 60 rabbits, divided into three groups, CG (Control Group), GT1 (Intralesional Stem Cell Treated Group), and GT2 (Intravenous Stem Cell Treated Group), containing 20 animals each. After grafting, each group was randomly divided into four subgroups according to euthanasia time 3, 7, 14, and 30 days, containing five animals in each group. Animals of GT1_14, GT1_30, and GT2_14, GT2_30 subgroups received a second dose of xenogeneic cells on the seventh day. Meanwhile, animals from GT1_30 and GT2_30 received the third dose of xenogeneic cells on day 14. The groups treated with xenogeneic stem cells positively affected type III collagen re-epithelialization and deposition, and possibly GT1 had a controlled inflammatory response. However, no effect on angiogenesis. Thus, it was possible to demonstrate tolerance and therapeutic action of mesenchymal stem cells from canine adipose tissue in skin grafts in rabbits.

O Complexo gengivite-estomatite-faringite linfoplasmocitária felino é uma afecção de alta incidência entre os felinos, caracterizada por uma resposta inflamatória exacerbada, que pode ser local ou difusa, com a presença de úlceras e proliferações ulcerativas graves na mucosa oral, observadas a partir do acúmulo de placa bacteriana e cálculo dentário, tendo como progressão a doença periodontal grave. Os animais afetados demonstram, principalmente, ligeira disfagia a severa relutância em se alimentar, decorrente da dor intensa e inflamação oral. A diminuição na ingestão de alimentos pode ser caracterizada pela apatia e perda de peso progressiva. Essa doença afeta animais entre três e quinze anos, mas é comumente observada em felinos com oito anos de idade. O tratamento clínico e, principalmente, o cirúrgico mostram, na maioria das vezes, uma grande melhora na recuperação desses animais. Com isso, o presente trabalho tem como finalidade relatar um caso clínico de um paciente felino com complexo gengivite-estomatite com gengivite-estomatite-faringite linfoplasmocitária atendido na Clínica Veterinário da PUC-Campinas, bem como discutir sua patogenia e opções terapêuticas.