Inflammatory response to the administration of mesenchymal stem cells in an equine experimental model: effect of autologous, and single and repeat doses of pooled allogeneic cells in healthy joints.
Authors: Ardanaz N, Vázquez F J, Romero A, Remacha A R, Barrachina L, Sanz A, Ranera B, Vitoria A, Albareda J, Prades M, Zaragoza P, Martín-Burriel I, Rodellar C
Journal: BMC veterinary research
Summary
# Editorial Summary Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has generated considerable interest for treating equine musculoskeletal injuries, yet the joint's inflammatory response to cellular transplantation remains incompletely characterised. This experimental study compared the safety profile of single autologous bone marrow-derived MSC injections against two separate doses of pooled allogeneic MSCs in healthy equine joints, with control joints receiving lactated Ringer's solution, tracking clinical signs of synovitis, lameness, and synovial fluid markers (total protein, white blood cell and neutrophil counts) over ten days. Both autologous and allogeneic MSC administrations triggered measurable inflammatory responses, though the magnitude and duration varied; notably, repeat allogeneic dosing appeared to provoke a more pronounced response than single autologous treatment, suggesting potential immunogenicity concerns with pooled donor cells. The findings indicate that whilst MSC injection induces expected transient synovitis consistent with any intra-articular procedure, practitioners should be aware that allogeneic products—particularly when administered repeatedly—may generate a more substantial inflammatory milieu that could theoretically compromise healing in already compromised joints. These results underline the importance of patient selection and careful monitoring when employing MSC therapies, particularly with allografts, and suggest single autologous doses may produce a more favourable inflammatory profile than pooled allogeneic alternatives for clinical application.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •MSC therapies for joint disease will trigger an inflammatory response even in healthy joints; monitor for transient synovitis and lameness in the first 10 days post-injection
- •Allogeneic MSC products may behave differently from autologous cells and require separate safety evaluation protocols
- •Pre-injection and post-injection synovial fluid sampling may help distinguish MSC-induced inflammation from complications or adverse reactions
Key Findings
- •Intra-articular injection of autologous and allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells induced measurable inflammatory responses in healthy equine joints
- •Both single autologous and repeat allogeneic MSC doses produced changes in synovial fluid total protein, white blood cell count, and neutrophil count
- •Clinical signs of synovitis and lameness were observed at specific time-points following MSC administration
- •Contralateral control joints injected with lactated Ringer's solution showed minimal inflammatory response