In vitro Characteristics of Heterogeneous Equine Hoof Progenitor Cell Isolates

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• 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)

Damage to an ectodermal-mesodermal interface like that in the equine hoof and human finger nail bed can permanently alter tissue structure and associated function. The purpose of this study was to establish and validate in vitro culture of primary progenitor cell isolates from the ectodermal-mesodermal tissue junction in equine hooves, the stratum internum, with and without chronic inflammation known to contribute to lifelong tissue defects. The following were evaluated in hoof stratum internum cell isolates up to 5 cell passages (P): expansion capacity by cell doublings and doubling time; plasticity with multi-lineage differentiation and colony-forming unit (CFU) frequency percentage; immunophenotype with immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry; gene expression with RT-PCR; and ultrastructure with transmission electron microscopy. The presence of keratin (K)14, 15 and K19 as well as cluster of differentiation (CD)44 and CD29 was determined in situ with immunohistochemistry. To confirm in vivo extracellular matrix (ECM) formation, cell-scaffold (polyethylene glycol/poly-L-lactic acid and tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite) constructs were evaluated with scanning electron microscopy 9 weeks after implantation in athymic mice. Cultured cells had characteristic progenitor cell morphology, expansion, CFU frequency percentage and adipocytic, osteoblastic, and neurocytic differentiat

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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