Inês Esteves Dias, et al. Oct 22, 2019
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Immune-Mediated Diseases in Companion Animals
At Elita Genetics, we are dedicated to advancing medicine for pets and closely monitor global research to inform our services and collaborative efforts. As Australia’s first stem cell bank for pets, we are particularly interested in studies that illuminate the broad therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), especially for challenging conditions where conventional treatments have limitations.
A comprehensive review published in BMC Veterinary Research in 2019 by Dias et al. provides a critical overview of MSC therapy in companion animals for various immune-mediated diseases. This review highlights the remarkable immunomodulatory capabilities of MSCs and their potential to offer safer and more effective alternatives to traditional long-term pharmacotherapy.
This review synthesises current research on the therapeutic potential of MSCs in treating several significant immune-mediated diseases in companion animals:
The authors compare MSC therapy with conventional treatments for these conditions, emphasising the need for novel strategies given the adverse effects and limitations of current drug regimens (e.g., glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, monoclonal antibodies).
The review underscores that MSCs possess potent immunomodulatory properties, making them promising therapeutic agents for autoimmune disorders. Their mechanisms of action include:
Specifically, the review highlighted: