Therapeutic Potential of Autologous Adipose-Derived Stem Cells for the Treatment of Liver Disease

Gardin et al., 2018
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Elita Summary

Liver disease is a significant medical challenge in both human and veterinary medicine, with transplantation often limited by donor availability. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of autologous adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) for treating spontaneous chronic liver disease in dogs. Dogs, which often share similar clinical and pathological liver profiles with humans, serve as a valuable spontaneous model for investigating cell-based therapies. The findings showed that autologous ADSC transplantation significantly improved liver function biomarkers, suggesting a promising, minimally invasive therapeutic alternative.

Study Design at a Glance

  • Sample: Ten dogs with severe chronic liver disease were included.
  • Cell Source: Autologous adipose tissue was aseptically collected from the suprascapular or interscapular region of each dog.
  • Treatment: Each dog underwent two transfusions of autologous, undifferentiated cADSCs (cultured to passages 2-5) through the portal vein, 30 days apart. A control group received an injection of the vehicle (PBS) without cells.
  • Outcomes: Liver function was evaluated by measuring levels of serum biomarkers and analyzing hepatic cytological specimens.
    • Biomarkers: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bile acids (BAs).
    • Cytology: Smears were analysed before the first injection and 30 days after the second injection.

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Key Findings

  • Improved Liver Function Biomarkers: Compared to pre-treatment values and the PBS-treated control group, the ADSC-treated dogs showed a significant reduction in serum levels of liver injury biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, and total BAs) after the first and second injections.
  • Reduced Inflammation and Fibrosis: Cytological analysis showed a decrease in inflammatory cells (e.g., neutrophils and activated lymphocytes) and spindle cells (compatible with liver fibrosis) in the post-treatment smears compared to the pre-treatment samples.
  • Immunomodulatory Mechanism: The beneficial effect is hypothesised to be due to the immunomodulatory properties of the stem cells, which were shown in vitro to inhibit T cell proliferation and modulate cytokine secretion by other immune cells.
  • Cell Characteristics: Canine ADSCs (cADSCs) showed a faster proliferation rate and greater osteogenic potential but lower adipogenic potential compared to human ADSCs

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Why This Matters Clinically

  • Therapy for Severe Liver Disease: This study offers a promising, less invasive alternative for treating severe chronic liver disease in dogs, a condition often confirmed only at advanced stages.
  • Autologous Advantage: The successful use of autologous cells eliminates the risks of immune rejection and the need for lifelong immunosuppression associated with allogeneic or transplantation procedures.
  • Clinical Viability: The technique used for cell delivery (portal vein injection) resulted in a high and homogeneous distribution of cells within the liver, supporting its clinical relevance.

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Implications for Elita

This research is a crucial validation of the vast therapeutic scope of a pet's cryobanked stem cells, extending far beyond musculoskeletal issues. The success of autologous ADSCs in treating severe, spontaneous chronic liver disease directly supports Elita's core belief: banking a pet’s cells when they are young and healthy ensures the availability of the highest quality and most potent cells possible. This eliminates the constraint of having to collect cells from an already diseased or aged patient, which is critical when dealing with conditions like liver disease. By providing superior autologous cells, we are empowering veterinarians with the most effective tool for a personalised and potentially life-saving regenerative therapy.