In vivo biocompatibility of hydrogel derived from equine tendon extracellular matrix

• Grant number: 20/05252-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2020
• End date: May 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Ana Liz Garcia Alves
• Grantee: Thiago de Castilho e Lima
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Tendinopathies are significative among musculoskeletal injuries in both humans and animals. The treatments used in this disease are not very effective in producing scar tissue of similar quality to the previous one and in reducing the rates of recurrences. New therapies are being tested with the aim of achieving better results such as the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), bioinks used in 3D printing and synthetic and biological frameworks. The hydrogel composed of extracellular matrix (MEC) of tendon is described as a potential framework for tendon tissue regeneration and engineering. This allows maintaining the structural and molecular characteristics of tissues, assisting therapies with MSC in their differentiation and correct structuring. The objective of this study is to test the biocompatibility of the MEC hydrogel equine tendon produced according to the protocol developed by the Laboratory of Regenerative Therapies at FMVZ Unesp, Botucatu-SP. 12 horses from the FMVZ herd will be used, in which they will be divided into 3 groups. Each group will receive an application of 3 mL of hydrogel in the subcutaneous tissue on the right (treated) side and on the right side, 3 mL of saline solution (control) will be injected. Excision biopsies will be performed at the injection site on the 7th day of the first group, 14th of the second group and 56th day of the third group after application. Thermographic evaluations will be carried out and then the biopsies, analysis of the samples in optical microscopy stained with hematoxylin and eosin, transmission electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Finally, we hope that these analyzes will support the subsequent use of this new biomaterial in clinical cases and studies, as well as the production of scientific articles, patents and add knowledge to the FMVZ, Unesp research team and the scientific community. (AU)