DOI: 10.5176/2382-5685_VETSCI15.30
Authors: Artur Niedzwiedz, Hieronim Borowicz, Jozef Nicpon and Marek Cegielski
Abstract:
Objectives: Equine recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) is a respiratory disease of horses that shares many similarities with human asthma. Studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells decrease airway eosinophilia, airway hyperresponsiveness, and remodeling in murine models of acutely induced asthma. We hypothesized that antlerogenic stems cells (ASC) would diminish these hallmark features in equine RAO. The cells were derived from growing deer antlers (Cervus elaphus). The aim of this study was to assess the safety of the application and impact of ASC in the course of equine RAO. Material and Methods: 30 horses with chronic naturally-induced RAO and 10 healthy controls were divided into three groups. Group A was the study group (n=20) consisting of RAO affected-horses that received one infusion of ASC into the bronchial tree through the working channel of the endoscope, group B was the positive control made up of (n=10) RAO affected-horses receiving a placebo, while group C was the negative control (n=10) containing healthy horses with no evidence of respiratory tract disease that received placebo. Income and outcome measures included: a BALF cytology to assess airway neutrophilia, clinical scoring to assess RAO and blood acute phase proteins (SAA, CRP, fibrinogen, haptoglobin, ceruloplasmin). Results: When administered after the development of equine recurrent airway obstruction ASC contributed to a significant reduction of the airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsivity. However, it did not affect the concentrations of blood acute phase proteins. We also demonstrated that the use of xenogeneic, antlerogenic stem cells derived from red deer is safe in equine RAO and does not have any side effect. Conclusions: The results of our study support the hypothesis that horses suffering from recurrent airway obstruction can benefit from an ASC therapy. However, further studies on this type of therapy, including repeated ASC administration in horses, is warranted to assess its impact on the remodeling changes in the course of equine RAO.
Keywords: RAO, horses, stem cells, therapy, heaves, deer
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