STUDY AND APPLICATION OF AUTOLOGOUS MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS IN EQUINE RECURRENT UVEITIS

The ability to repair damaged organs or to create in vitro tissues is now a reality and regenerative medicine is attracting more and more interest in the veterinary field, due to the possibility to provide a shorter period of hospitalization and a greater possibility of recovery, leading to greater benefits both for the animal and the economy. Chronic diseases, cancer and injuries are often severe, in pets, especially in the elderly, whose owners are increasingly demanding new and more sophisticated treatments and prevention strategies. Equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) is a major ophthalmic disease of the horse and is the most common cause of blindness in this species and it continues to be a common and frustrating problem in horses both in Europe and USA. Standard symptomatic anti-inflammatory therapy is effective to control most cases of ERU, especially when treated early in course of the recurrent episode. However, some patients required advanced therapy when they fail to respond to the standard therapy. The horse is a perfect model for the study of new therapies in spontaneous uveitis and the model could be translated, with care of each order and for all levels, in man. In fact, man and horse are united by the fact that they are the only two species that can develop spontaneous uveitis. The purpose of this research project was to assess the application of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of end-stage equine recurrent uveitis, focusing on the possibility of obtaining mesenchymal stem cells suitable for the use in this eye problem. In addition, feasibility and outcomes of this novel stem therapy has been evaluated.