AUTOLOGOUS USE OF MESENQUIMIAL TISSUE CELLS OF ADIPPOSE TISSUE IN DOGS WITH CINOMOSIS AS MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS EXPERIMENTAL MODEL.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Distemper vírus. Multiple Sclerosis. Demyelination. Cell therapy.
Several researchers believe that some diseases that occur naturally in companion animals may better reflect the genetic, environmental and physiological variations present in the human population. Aiming to converge parallel advances, the recognition of dogs and cats as translational preclinical models in regenerative medicine studies, would lead to more consistent advances in scientific research veterinary medicine, lags behind that human medicine in knowledge and technology. Due to the similarities of neurological changes of leukoencephalitis by distemper virus with a multiple sclerosis in humans, the distemper in dogs in the neurological phase was represented by one of the few spontaneous diseases for the study of the pathogenesis of myelin loss, associated with immune-mediated diseases. Several studies have suggested the use of mesenchymal stem cells as a treatment option for demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, we investigated the use of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells in four dogs with neurological lesions caused by the distemper virus. After three infusions of 1x107 cells by the intraarterial route, the animals did not demonstrate significant changes in their locomotive abilities. However, the intense myoclonus in three animals was reduced to a moderate level. At one year after the cell therapy, all four dogs started to move independently. In two animals, the myoclonic severity had become mild. It was concluded that the use of mesenchymal stem cells showed safety in repetitive applications, no adverse effects in the short term, and improve the quality of life of dogs with neurological sequelae caused by demyelinating leukoencephalitis. In view of the results found, the all consulted literature, and the historical of commercialization of stem cells in Brazilian Veterinary Medicine, we consider necessary to review the trials published with stem cells derived from adipose tissue in diseases of companion animals with spontaneous occurrence, discussing the scientific challenges of research in veterinary regenerative medicine, and the scientific basis, still unclear, for the current cellular trade, not controlled by regulatory agencies.