Microfluidic Separation of Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are potential treatments for a variety of veterinary medical conditions. However, clinical trials have often fallen short of expectations, due in part to heterogeneity and lack of characterization of the MSCs. Identification and characterization of subpopulations within MSC cultures may improve those outcomes. Therefore, the functional heterogeneity of different-sized subpopulations of MSCs was evaluated. A high-throughput, biophysical, label-free microfluidic sorting approach was used to separate subpopulations of canine adipose-derived MSCs (Ad-MSCs) based on size for subsequent characterization, as well as to evaluate the impact of culture conditions on their functional heterogeneity. We found that culture-expanded canine Ad-MSCs comprise distinct subpopulations: larger MSCs (mean diameter of 18.6 ± 0.2 μm), smaller MSCs (mean diameter of 15.3 ± 0.2 μm), and intermediate MSCs (mean diameter of 16.9 ± 0.1 μm). In addition, proliferation characteristics, senescence, and differentiation potential of canine Ad-MSCs are also dependent on cell size. We observed that larger MSCs proliferate more slowly, senesce at earlier passages, and are inclined to differentiate into adipocytes compared with smaller MSCs. Most importantly, these size-dependent functions are also affected by the presence of serum in the culture medium, as well as time in culture.

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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