J Vet Sci.  2022 Jul;23(4):e61. 10.4142/jvs.22069.

Long-term treatment of allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells in a dog with rheumatoid arthritis

• Seo MG
• Park S
• Han S
• Kim AY
• Lee EJ
• Jeong KS
• Hong IH

• KMID: 2532290
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4142/jvs.22069

Abstract

Background
Although there are growing demands for stem cell-based therapy for companion animals in various diseases, a few clinical trials have been reported. Moreover, most of them are the results from only one or a few times of stem cell injection.
Objectives
The aim of this study is to describe a long-term treatment with allogeneic adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a dog with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), which is a rare canine disease.
Methods
The dog with RA received intravascular injection of allogeneic ASCs derived from two healthy donors once a month for 11 months. To assess therapeutic effects of ASCs, orthopedic examination and clinical evaluation was performed. Cytokines of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the plasma were measured using ELISA analysis.
Results
Despite this repeated and long-term administration of allogeneic ASCs, there were no side effects such as immunorejection responses or cell toxicity. The orthopedic examination score for the dog decreased after ASCs treatment, and the clinical condition of the dog and owner’s satisfaction were very good
Conclusions
Although ASCs has been suggested as one of the options for RA treatment because of its anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive functions, it has never been used to treat RA in dogs. The present report describes a case of canine RA treated with allogeneic ASCs for long-term in which the dog showed clinical improvement without adverse effects.

Keyword

Dog; immune-mediated disease; immunomodulation; mesenchymal stem cell; rheumatoid arthritis