Characterisation of canine adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells for treatment of diseases and disorders in dogs.

Summary

The application of regenerative medicine utilising adult stem cells in a developing area of veterinary science and this project proposes the characterisation of adipose derived canine mesenchymal stem cells which have successfully been utilised for the treatment of a number of disease and disorders in dogs.

Supervisor(s)

Dr Paul Sheehy

Research Location

Faculty of Veterinary Science

Program Type

N/A

Synopsis

• Project Context:

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells with significant therapeutic potential in veterinary medicine. These cells reside in bone marrow, adipose tissue, blood, umbilical cord blood, amniotic fluid, teeth and foetal tissues. In normal healthy animals MSCs play a role in cellular renewal processes and can differentiate into osteocytes (bone), adipocytes (fat cells), myocytes (muscle), chondrocytes (cartilage), cardiomyocytes (heart), and neurons (nervous system). As these cells can be harvested from a number of tissues and re-administered with the ability to differentiate into a range of tissue types, autologous application of MSCs has been investigated as a cell based therapeutic agent for human and animal health. While this approach has shown some promise in initial clinical trials, the conditions required for high purity culture and unambiguous identification of these stem cells have yet to be determined. This approach has already been successfully applied to a range of diseases and disorders including cartilage and bone repair, heart regeneration following cardiac infaction, neuronal regeneration following stroke or brain trauma, and wound healing. Veterinary applications in dogs may include repair of fractures, cartilage repair, relief of osteoarthritis and treatments for hip dysplasia.  

• Project Objectives:

1. Establish cell culture methodologies from surgical waste material (adipose tissue) based on published methods.
2. Screen cell cultures for surface markers by Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) to optimise cell isolation procedures and population homogeneity
3. Characterise identified side populations by gene expression profiles of genes specific to MSCs lineages.
4. Evaluate cell labeling techniques for subsequent in vivo application.

Additional Information

This project is supported by the Canine Research Foundation and is open to Masters, Honours and BScVet candidates.This project does not include student scholarship support.  Techniques employed will include:

• Canine Primary Cell Culture
• Cell Isolation/ FACS
• Real-time PCR
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Cell labeling techniques

Keywords

Canine, mesenchymal stem cells, Veterinary science, Cell biology, regenerative medicine

Opportunity ID

The opportunity ID for this research opportunity is: 830