Evaluation of Type 1 and 3 Collagen Genes Expression in the Distal Limb Wounds Treated with Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and its Comparison with Bone Marrow-Derived Stem Cells in Horses

Open wounds affecting the distal part of limbs are commonly seen in horses. Due to certain factors, such as limited connective tissue available, potentiated growth of excessive granulation tissue, risk of contamination, and poor response to common treatments, healing of these wounds becomes a major problem for veterinarians on a number of occasions. Application of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSC) for enhancing wound healing has received a great deal of scientific attention. Among the MSCs, those derived from adipose tissue are frequently used owing to their availability, large number of cells after the primary harvest, and the capacity to differentiate to different cell lines.

The current study aimed to evaluate type 1 and 3 collagen genes expression in horse distal limb wounds treated via adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and its comparison with bone marrow-derived stem cells.

After treatment of the experimental open wounds created in the distal limbs of four horses via autologous MSCs, real-time PCR was used for evaluating and comparing the expression of type I and III collagen genes in the healing wounds.

Significant differences in the expression of type I and III collagen genes were observed between the treatment groups. Despite the fact that the greatest collagen genes expression belonged to bone marrow-derived MSCs, no significant differences were seen with adipose-derived MSCs.

Owing to the advantages and an acceptable performance, adipose-derived MSCs could be considered as a novel approach to enhancing limb wound healing in horses.