Mesenchymal Stem Cell Research in Veterinary Medicine.

Abstract

The researchers working in the field of medical, veterinary and other biological sciences have uniformly described unique characteristic features of stem cells including selfrenewal, prolonged multiplication, immuno-modulation and multi-lineage differentiation. These characteristics of stem cells have opened new horizons in cellular therapy for the management of numerous incurable diseases in human and veterinary patients. Though the mechanisms involved in reparative processes may be similar, the indication for the stem cell therapy may be disparate in human and veterinary subjects. Among various stem cell types, currently mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are extensively studied in regenerative medicine owing to their readily available sources, easy harvesting and ability to differentiate both into mesodermal as well as non-mesodermal tissues under specific culture conditions with little associated ethical issues. The objective of the study was to analyze and summarize the studies and their results pertaining to the basic biology of stem cells, preclinical trials and their potential therapeutic application in veterinary medicine. MSCs have been variably isolated, cultured and characterized from almost all the body tissues and fetal membranes in domestic and pet animals. The cells have been studied in numerous pre-clinical and clinical studies, in addition, to lab animal models. The results although are promising but need further extensive research studies before the cellular application becomes a clinical reality in veterinary medicine. The current review throws some light on different aspects of mesenchymal stem cells like sources, isolation, characterization and their potential therapeutic applications in farm and pet animals.