Therapeutic potential of canine mesenchymal stem cells in experimental autoimmune neuritis

• Grant number: 24/01371-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2024
• End date: February 29, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Clinics and Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Rogério Martins Amorim
• Grantee: Thaís Gonçalves Tavares
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) can be induced in a murine animal model, with the aim of providing a source for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms, or even searching for new treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Examples include Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in humans and acute canine polyradiculoneuritis (ACP) in dogs. ACP is a polyneuropathy that has a rapid onset and caudocranial involvement, with no well-defined etiopathogenesis. Although it is the most common polyneuropathy in dogs, ACP does not have a well-established therapeutic protocol and can even lead to death due to respiratory damage. As a result, studies seeking treatments for ACP are essential. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and neurogenerative potential. Due to these promising characteristics, MSCs have become strong allies in research into the treatment of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases of the peripheral nervous system. To date, there is no research evaluating the effect of canine MSCs for treating EAN. This study aims to select a line of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs), through the expression of neurotrophic factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro, in order to evaluate the safety of these cells and efficacy through transplantation intravenous (IV) and compare with untreated animals. Our hypothesis is that canine AT-MSCs transplantation is safe and effective in promoting clinical neuromotor recovery in Lewis rats with EAN. Furthermore, the results of the study can provide data to improve the understanding of clinical trials related to GBS, considering that this condition has clinical, pathophysiological and histological similarities with ACP.