Optimization and Characterization of Equine Adult Stem Cells for bone regeneration

Recipient Organization
LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
202 HIMES HALL
BATON ROUGE,LA 70803-0100

Performing Department
Veterinary Clinical Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Fractures are perhaps the most critical clinical problems in equine medicine. Traditional therapeutic approaches have a poor and unpredictable prognosis despite technological advances. Acceleration of fracture healing using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can be achieved experimentally and MSCs are an attractive alternative to traditional surgical therapies. Despite the advantages of MSCs to promote fracture repair, little information is available regarding the conditions necessary for MSCs to from bone. Therefore, optimal conditions must be to make clinical application of equine MSCs for bone repair a reality. The investigation described in this proposal is designed to address this unmet medical need.

Animal Health Component

(N/A)

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

(N/A)

Developmental

50%

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
305	3810	1020	100%

Knowledge Area
305 - Animal Physiological Processes;

Subject Of Investigation
3810 - Horses, ponies, and mules;

Field Of Science
1020 - Physiology;

Keywords

equine stem cells

stem cells

adult stem cells

Goals / Objectives
The overall goals of this investigation are to optimize in vitro equine adult stem cell (EASCs) culture conditions and to determine the bone formation of EASCs loaded on biodegradable scaffolds and implanted in recipient horses. The completion of this study will provide preliminary data for subsequent investigations involving acceleration of bone healing in equine patients.

Project Methods
To compare EASCs cultured in medium with and without osteogenic supplementation, the following methods will be applied: a) Quantify cell viability with confocal laser microscopy, b) Compare microstructure of cell loaded scaffolds (H&E and Masson's trichrome), c) Determine the mRNA levels of target genes RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa beta ligand), alkaline phosphatase, and osteoprotegerin using real time RT-PCR. To evaluate bone formation in biodegradable scaffolds loaded with EASCs implanted in the subcutaneous tissue of unrelated recipient horses the same methods will be utilized

Progress 01/01/10 to 12/31/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Optimal loading conditions and scaffolds for adult equine multi-potent stromal cells from fat and bone marrow were determined. PARTICIPANTS: Two PhD students and one MS student benefitted from the projects funded by this proposal. Additionally, one post-doctoral researcher participated. Collaborations were established with the Grayson Jockey Club foundation and continued with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Funding provided by this proposal permitted extension of current methods in the laboratory to include equine tissue engineering. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include undergraduate and graduate students, medical professionals, horse owners and trainers, veterinarians, veterinary surgeons, and tissue engineers. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The outcomes from this project contributed to development of mechanisms to accelerate bone healing in horses. Preliminary data from this project contributed to preliminary data which was vital to a successful grant submission to the Grayson Jockey Club Foundation.

Publications

No publications reported this period

Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Last year's report should have been submitted as a termination report. PARTICIPANTS: Last year's report should have been submitted as a termination report. TARGET AUDIENCES: Last year's report should have been submitted as a termination report. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
Last year's report should have been submitted as a termination report.

Publications

No publications reported this period