Systematic review and meta-analysis of adult multipotent stromal/stem cell treatment for equine tendinopathy and desmopathy.
Authors: Taguchi Takashi, Lopez Mandi J, Aoun Rita, Helber Lauren
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Stem Cell Treatment for Equine Tendon and Ligament Injuries: What the Evidence Shows Multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) have gained traction as a biological therapy for tendon and ligament injuries in horses, yet their clinical efficacy remains debated amongst practitioners. Taguchi and colleagues conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 peer-reviewed studies (published 2001–2025) comparing MSC-treated lesions with control groups, extracting data on lameness scores, ultrasound findings, tissue microstructure, and objective measures of tissue mechanical and molecular properties. Clinical outcomes—including return to soundness, return to performance, and lameness reduction—consistently favoured MSC treatment, as did ultrasound assessment and histological microstructure, suggesting that the cells do promote tissue remodelling and functional recovery. However, the analysis found no significant advantage for MSC therapy in tissue mechanics, gene expression patterns, or extracellular matrix composition compared to controls, indicating that improved clinical function may precede measurable molecular or mechanical restoration. For practitioners considering MSC treatment, these findings support optimism about clinical outcomes, though the heterogeneity of existing protocols—varying cell isolation methods, doses, and preparation techniques—limits our ability to standardise recommendations; the authors emphasise that rigorous, protocol-standardised randomised controlled trials are essential before firm evidence-based guidelines can be established.
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Practical Takeaways
- •MSC therapy appears clinically beneficial for horses with tendon and ligament injuries, with improved soundness and reduced lameness scores based on current evidence
- •While clinical outcomes are encouraging, tissue healing at the cellular level (mechanics, gene expression, composition) remains unproven—better standardized protocols and RCTs are needed before drawing firm conclusions about tissue repair mechanisms
- •If considering MSC therapy, standardized cell preparation and dosage protocols are critical, but currently vary widely across studies
Key Findings
- •Return to soundness or performance favored MSC therapy compared to control treatments
- •Lameness scores improved significantly with MSC treatment
- •Ultrasound tissue characterization and microstructure showed positive changes with MSC therapy
- •No significant difference between MSC and control groups for tissue gene expression, composition, or mechanical properties