Stem Cells for Bone Healing
Researchers in the Animal Cancer Center are using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to enhance bone healing following surgery or radiation therapy for bone cancer, with the ultimate goal of improving treatment outcomes in children and dogs with bone cancer.
Current Studies
- Effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on incorporation of massive cortical allografts following limb salvage surgery.
Studies are being conducted to determine how MSC derived from adipose tissues or bone marrow can be used to stimulate the incorporation of bone grafts into large fracture gaps after bone resection for bone cancer, using mouse models and dogs with cancer. Program Faculty: Drs. Nicole Ehrhart, Stewart Ryan, and Jamie Custis
- Safety and efficacy of MSC for revitalizing bone following radiation injury
Studies are being done to determine how to MSC can be used safely to improve the viability of bone following radiation therapy for cancer, using mouse and rat tumor and radiation models. Program Faculty: Drs. Nicole Ehrhart, Stewart Ryan, Jamie Custis, and Susan LaRue
Stem Cells for Joint and Ligament Healing
Faculty in the Equine Orthopaedic Research Center are investigating the use of mesenchymal stem cells to stimulate cartilage and ligament healing and to enhance tissue healing following sports-related injuries in horses.
Current Studies
- Stem cell transfection with IL-1Ra to stimulate healing of cartilage and tendon injuries
Investigators in the EORC are studying the effects of joint injection with MSC transfected to over-express the equine IL-1Ra gene in order to suppress joint inflammation and stimulate cartilage healing, using experimental and clinical equine models. Program Faculty: Drs. Laurie Goodrich, David Frisbe, and Wayne MacIlwraith
- Effects of in vitro differentiation on MSC resistance to compressive forces as a model for cartilage healing
The use of MSC offers the potential to one day regenerate new cartilage to repair chronic joint injuries in horses and humans. To help develop new MSC-based therapies, researchers in the EORC are using in vitro assays with MSC and growth factors and substrates to assess the impact of these factors on differentiation of MSC into functional chondrocytes. Program Faculty: Drs. David Kisiday, David Frisbe, and Wayne MacIlwraith
Stem Cells for Immune Modulation
Faculty in the Department of Clinical Sciences use stem cells to suppress abnormal immune responses in inflammatory diseases such as asthma and inflammatory bowel disease. They are also investigating the ability of MSC to stimulate healing and reduce inflammation in chronic kidney disease.
Current Studies
- Stem cell therapy for chronic kidney disease in cats
Studies are being done to determine whether infusions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) can improve kidney function in cats with naturally-occurring chronic kidney disease and to understand the mechanisms by which these cells may protect the kidneys. These studies are using MSC to treat pet cats with naturally-occurring kidney disease as a model to also investigate the effectiveness of MSC therapy for end stage renal disease in humans. Program Faculty: Drs. Steven Dow, Jessica Quimby, Tracy Webb, Shannon McLeland, and Mike Lappin
- Stem cell therapy for immune modulation of asthma
Studies are underway to investigate whether intravenous injection of MSC can be used as a novel method of suppressing airway inflammation in asthma, using in vitro studies and mouse models in collaboration with researchers at National Jewish. Program Faculty: Drs. Steven Dow, Tracy Webb, Katsuyuki Takeda (National Jewish), and Erwin Gelfand (National Jewish)
Stem Cells for Improved Cardiac Valves
Investigators in the Cardiovascular Research Laboratory at the Animal Heart Center at CSU are studying new approaches to improve the durability and reduce the immunogenicity of replacement heart valves. One of these approaches includes the use of autologous MSC to improve valve properties
Current Studies
- New approaches to preparation of porcine cardiac valves to improve immune and mechanical properties
These studies are investigating novel methods of preparing cardiac valves to suppress long-term immune rejection of allograft valves, along with improved incorporation of MSC into valve connective tissues to improve their strength and reduce immune rejection. Program Faculty: Drs. Chris Orton and Jan Bright