Equine bone marrow MSC-derived extracellular vesicles mitigate the inflammatory effects of interleukin-1β on navicular tissues in vitro.
Authors: Quam Vivian G, Belacic Zarah A, Long Sidney, Rice Hilary C, Dhar Madhu S, Durgam Sushmitha
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Equine Navicular Disease and Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Navicular disease remains a significant challenge in equine practice, with limited evidence supporting current orthobiologic interventions for the degenerative changes affecting the deep digital flexor tendon and navicular bone fibrocartilage. Researchers from this 2025 study investigated whether extracellular vesicles (EVs)—small membrane-bound particles secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells—could counteract the inflammatory cascade driven by interleukin-1β (IL-1β), a key cytokine implicated in navicular pathology. Using an in vitro model, equine bone marrow MSC-derived EVs were co-cultured with navicular tissue explants exposed to IL-1β; the team measured inflammatory markers, tissue degradation indicators, and gene expression profiles to assess mitigation effects. The EVs demonstrated a dose-dependent capacity to reduce IL-1β-driven inflammatory signalling and suppress catabolic pathways in affected tissues, suggesting potential for protecting the structural integrity of degenerative navicular structures. Whilst this preliminary work remains confined to laboratory conditions, the results offer a mechanistically sound rationale for progressing towards in vivo studies and suggest that EV-based therapies may provide a more targeted alternative to broader orthobiologic approaches currently applied empirically in navicular management.
Read the full abstract on PubMed
Practical Takeaways
- •MSC-derived extracellular vesicles show promise as a potential therapeutic approach for navicular disease, with early evidence supporting anti-inflammatory mechanisms
- •This in vitro research provides foundational support for further development of EV-based therapies before clinical trials in lame horses
- •While encouraging, results are currently limited to laboratory conditions; clinical efficacy and safety in treated horses remain to be determined
Key Findings
- •Equine bone marrow MSC-derived extracellular vesicles demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects on navicular tissues exposed to IL-1β in vitro
- •EV therapy may overcome limitations of current empirically-used orthobiologic treatments for navicular disease