Presentation Description/Summary: Regenerative cell-based therapies are becoming an increasingly important treatment option for a variety of clinical problems. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), undifferentiated cells that can self-renew and transform into tissue cells with specialized functions, are found in the adult organism and are easily obtained, isolated, and cultured primarily from adipose tissue, spleen (biopsy), bone marrow, and periosteal tissue. The therapeutic capabilities of MSC are primarily attributed to immunomodulatory properties that affect the recipient's immune system. Numerous recent studies have examined the effects of MSC on lung tissue and the pulmonary immune system in animals and humans. MSC treatment has been shown to alter local immune responses in induced or naturally acquired lung disease in mouse models, dogs, cats, sheep and horses. This session will discuss the latest evidence on treatment of chronic lung disease with MSC or MSC derivatives. The focus will be on horses.
Learner Outcomes: The audience will be able to define 1) stem cell types, 2) their current and potential applications, and 3) the state of regenerative therapy research and practice.
Learning Objectives:
The audience will be able to define stem cell types.
The audience will be able to describe current and potential applications of stem cells in pulmonary disease.
The audience will be able to describe the current state of research in regenerative lung therapy.
