The superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) is a structure frequently affected by injuries in high-performance athletic horses, and there are limited therapeutic options. Regenerative medicine has evolved significantly in treating different illnesses. However, understanding the cellular behaviour during mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation in healthy tissues is not fully known yet. To address the inflammatory response induced by allogeneic MSC transplantation, this study evaluated the local inflammatory response after the application of allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) in the equine tendon compared to an autologous transplant and the control group. Eighteen thoracic limbs (TL) in nine animals were divided into three groups and subjected to the application of AT-MSCs in the healthy tendon. In the allogeneic group (Gallog), the animals received an allogeneic AT-MSC application in the TL. The autologous group (Gauto) received an application of autologous cells in the TL, and in the control group (Gcont), phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) was applied. There were no significant differences among the evaluated groups in the physical, morphological, thermography, and ultrasonography analyses. A higher number of CD3-positive lymphocytes was observed in the Gauto group compared to the control (P < 0.05). Additionally, we did not observe different expressions of CD172 and microvascular density among the groups. The allogeneic transplantation of AT-MSCs did not result in an adverse or inflammatory reaction that compromised the use of these cells in this experiment. Their behaviour was similar to that of autologous transplantation.
BackgroundMesenchymal stem cells derived from the synovial membrane (MSCSM) have a greater potential for joint regeneration, besides the capacity for chondrogenic differentiation, since they are a source closer to the chondrocytes. This study aimed to cultivate and evaluate viability and differentiation of MSCSM encapsulated in a three-dimensional alginate hydrogel (HA) scaffold. Samples of the synovial membrane of the metatarsophalangeal joint of 4 horses were collected by astroscopic surgery. These were subjected to enzymatic digestion, isolated mesenchymal cells, cultured in monolayers and encapsulated at various concentrations, 104; 204; 504; 105; 205 cells in 1.5% sodium alginate solution. The gelatinization process was carried out and cultured for 4 weeks. Viability and cell proliferation were performed by dissolving the microcapsules and counting with trypan blue. The ratio of live cells and total live cells at intervals 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days was analyzed.ResultsFor the evaluation of differentiation, histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin and toluidine blue were performed. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of live cells between groups over the 28 days. The group of 105 cells obtained a higher total number of living cells at the end of the experiment. Through the histological analysis it was possible to observe at 7 days a low amount of spherical cells with chondrocyte characteristics. On day 21, chondrogenic differentiation became evident, with pericellular and territorial matrix production.ConclusionsThis study demonstrated the efficiency of HA as a scaffold for MSCSM and the chondrogenic differentiation, promising for use in the treatment of joint injuries in horses.
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