scholarly journals Comparison of biotechnological culture of hypoxia-conditioned rat mesenchymal stem cells with conventional in vitro culture of normoxia-conditioned rat mesenchymal stem cells for testicular failure therapy with low libido in rats

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 916-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erma Safitri ◽  
Mas'ud Hariadi
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Functional Outcome ◽  
Leydig Cells ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Spermatogenic Cells ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
T1 And T2 ◽  
Testicular Failure

Aim: Biotechnological culture of hypoxia-conditioned (CH) rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSC-CH) for testicular failure therapy with low libido improves the functional outcome of the testicle for producing spermatogenic cells and repairs Leydig cells in rats (Rattus norvegicus). Materials and Methods: In the first group (T1), rats with testicular failure and low libido were injected with normoxia-conditioned (CN) rMSCs (21% oxygen); in the second group (T2), rats with testicular failure and low libido were injected with rMSC-CH (1% oxygen); in the negative control group (T–), rats with normal testis were injected with 0.1 mL phosphate-buffered saline (PBS); and in the sham group (TS), rats with testicular failure and low libido were injected with 0.1 mL of PBS. Results: Vascular endothelial growth factor expression, as the homing signal, in the groups T2, T–, T1, and TS was 2.00±0.5%, 2.95±0.4%, 0.33±0.48%, and 0±0%, respectively. The number of cluster of differentiation (CD)34+ and CD45+ cells in the groups T– and TS was <20%, whereas that in T1 and T2 groups was >30% and >80%, respectively, showing the mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). The number of spermatogenic cells (spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, secondary spermatocytes, and spermatid) decreased significantly (p<0.05) in TS compared with that in T–, T1, and T2, whereas that in T2 did not show a significant (p>0.05) decrease compared to that in T–. The improvement in libido, based on the number of Leydig cells producing the hormone testosterone for libido expression, did not increase in T1, whereas T2 was able to maintain the number of Leydig cells significantly compared to that between TS and T1. Conclusion: rMSC-CH culture for testicular failure with low libido showed improvement in the functional outcome of the testicle and in repairing Leydig cells.

scholarly journals Suppression of transforming growth factor-β by mesenchymal stem-cells accelerates liver regeneration in liver fibrosis animal model

2021 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 29
Author(s):  
Nur Anna C Sa’dyah ◽  
Agung Putra ◽  
Bayu Tirta Dirja ◽  
Nurul Hidayah ◽  
Salma Yasmine Azzahara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Liver Fibrosis ◽  
Transforming Growth Factor ◽  
Healing Process ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
T1 And T2

Introduction<br />Liver fibrosis (LF) results from the unregulated chronic wound healing process in liver tissue. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is the major contributing cytokine of LF promotion through activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) into myofibroblasts (MFs) and increased extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition such as collagen leading to scar tissue development. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have an immunomodulatory capability that could be used as a new treatment for repairing and regenerating LF through suppression of TGF-β. This study aimed to examine the role of MSCs in liver fibrosis animal models through suppression of TGF-β levels without scar formation particularly in the proliferation phase.<br /><br />Methods<br />In this study, a completely randomized design was used with sample size of 24. Male Sprague Dawley rats were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), twice weekly, for eight weeks to induce LF. Rats were randomly assigned to four groups: negative control, CCl4 group, and CCL4 + MSC-treated groups T1 and T2, at doses of 1 x 106 and 2x106 cells, respectively. TGF-β levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). One-way ANOVA and a least significant difference (LSD) was used to analyse the data. <br /><br />Results<br />The TGF levels of LF rat models decreased on day 7 after MSC administration. The levels of TGF-β in both MSC groups T1 and T2 decreased significantly compared with the control group (p&lt;0.05). The TGF-β suppression capability of T2 was optimal and more significant than that of T1.<br /><br />Conclusion<br />MSCs can suppress TGF levels in liver fibrosis induced rats.

Abstract 5: Neovascularization By Substance-p- Mobilized Epc And Msc In Vitro And In Vivo

2014 ◽  
Vol 115 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyun Sook Hong ◽  
Suna Kim ◽  
Youngsook Son
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Substance P ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Skin Wound ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Vessel Structure

Bone marrow stem cells, especially, endothelial precursor cells (EPC), mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) or hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) are expected as reparative cells for the repair of a variety of tissue damages such as stroke and myocardial infarction, even though their role in the repair is not demonstrated. This report was investigated to find a role of Substance-p (SP) as a reparative agent in the tissue repair requiring EPC and MSC. In order to examine EPC (EPC SP ) and MSC (MSC SP ) mobilized by SP, we injected SP intravenously for consecutive 2 days and saline was injected as a vehicle. At 3 post injection, peripheral blood (PB) was collected.To get mesenchymal stem cells or endothelial progenitor cells, MNCs were incubated in MSCGM or EGM-2 respectively for 10 days. Functional characteristics of the EPC SP were proven by the capacity to form endothelial tubule network in the matrigel in vitro and in the matrigel plug assay in vivo. In contrast, MSC SP did not form a tube-like structure but formed a pellet-structure on matrigel. However, when both cells were premixed before the matrigel assay, much longer and branched tubular network was formed, in which a-SMA expressing MSC SP were decorating outside of the endothelial tube, especially enriched at the bifurcating point. MSC SP may contribute and reinforce elaborate vascular network formation in vivo by working as pericyte-like cells. Thus, the EPC SP and MSC SP were labeled with PKH green and PKH red respectively and their tubular network was examined. Well organized tubular network was formed, which was covered by PKH green labeled cells and was decorated in a punctate pattern by PKH red labeled cells. In order to investigate the role of EPC SP and MSC SP specifically in vivo, rabbit EPC SP and MSC SP were transplanted to full thickness skin wound. The vessel of EPC SP -transplanted groups was UEA-lectin+, which was not covered with a-SMA+ pericytes but EPC SP + MSC SP -transplanted groups showed, in part, a-SMA+ pericyte-encircled UEA-lectin+ vessels. This proved the specific role of MSC SP as pericytes. From these data, we have postulated that the collaboration of MSC and EPC is essential for normal vessel structure and furthermore, accelerated wound healing as ischemia diseases, which can be stimulated through by SP injection.

scholarly journals Knockdown of POSTN Inhibits Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells From Patients With Steroid-Induced Osteonecrosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lizhi Han ◽  
Song Gong ◽  
Ruoyu Wang ◽  
Shaokai Liu ◽  
Bo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Formation ◽  
Osteogenic Differentiation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nodule Formation ◽  
Matricellular Protein ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Endogenous Expression

Steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SONFH) is a common and serious complication caused by long-term and/or excessive use of glucocorticoids (GCs). The decreased activity and abnormal differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are considered to be one of the major reasons for the onset and progression of this disease. Periostin (POSTN) is a matricellular protein which plays an important role in regulating osteoblast function and bone formation. Sclerostin (SOST) is a secreted antagonist of Wnt signaling that is mainly expressed in osteocytes to inhibit bone formation. However, the exact role of POSTN and SOST in SONFH has not been reported yet. Therefore, we detected the differential expression of POSTN and SOST in BMSCs of SONFH Group patients, and Control Group was patients with traumatic ONFH (TONFH) and developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). Furthermore, we used lentiviral transfection to knockdown POSTN expression in BMSCs of patients with SONFH to study the effect of POSTN knockdown on the SOST expression and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The results indicated that the endogenous expression of POSTN and SOST in BMSCs of SONFH Group was upregulated, compared with Control Group. POSTN was upregulated gradually while SOST was downregulated gradually at days 0, 3, and 7 of osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in Control Group. Contrarily, POSTN was gradually downregulated while SOST was gradually upregulated during osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in SONFH Group. This could be due to increased expression of SOST in BMSCs, which was caused by excessive GCs. In turn, the increased expression of POSTN in BMSCs may play a role in antagonizing the continuous rising of SOST during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in patients with SONFH. POSTN knockdown significantly attenuated osteo-specific gene expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium nodule formation in vitro; thus inhibiting the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in patients with SONFH. Besides, POSTN knockdown upregulated SOST expression, increased GSK-3β activity, and downregulated β-catenin. These findings suggest that POSTN have an essential role in regulating the expression of SOST and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in patients with SONFH, and POSTN knockdown suppresses osteogenic differentiation by upregulating SOST and partially inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, targeting POSTN and SOST may serve as a promising therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of SONFH.

Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Inhibit In Vitro Antibody Production Against Alloantigens.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 3033-3033
Author(s):  
Patrizia Comoli ◽  
Rita Maccario ◽  
Maria Antonietta Avanzini ◽  
Fabrizio Ginevri ◽  
Antonia Moretta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
B Cell ◽  
Antibody Production ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Favourable Effect ◽  
Solid Organ ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Cross Match

Abstract Antibodies directed against alloantigens are implicated in the pathogenesis of several immune reactions complicating transplantation. In particular, this humoral response unfavorably affects the outcome of solid organ transplantation, and it has been hypothesized to be responsible for some of the clinical manifestations related to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). In detail, the presence of antibodies against donor cells is a contraindication to kidney transplantation because of the risk of hyperacute rejection. In the effort to expand the donor pool, trials of allograft transplantation across HLA-sensitization have been conducted by means of strategies including pre-transplant plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulins (Ig), anti-B cell monoclonal antibodies and splenectomy, associated with high-intensity immunosuppressive regimens. These measures have proved only partially successful in preventing humoral rejection in high-risk patients. Thus, the development of new therapeutic tools able to blunt alloantibody production could be a welcomed implementation to existing protocols. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been demonstrated to possess immunomodulatory capacity, since they induce T-cell hyporesponsiveness in vitro, prolong survival of skin graft in a primate model, and seem to decrease GVHD incidence and severity in humans given hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. To verify whether MSC may exert an inhibitory effect on antibody production, we stimulated B-cell-enriched peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) obtained from healthy controls (n=9) or sensitized prospective kidney recipients (n=5) in a mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC) against irradiated HLA-disparate stimulator PBMC (controls) or stimulators cells bearing HLA antigens matched with the positive cross-match (patients). Antibody production in the absence or in the presence of third-party allogeneic MSC (responder:MSC ratio:4:1) was then evaluated by ELISA. We found that the addition of MSC at the beginning of MLC considerably inhibited IgG and IgM production (median fold-decrease of IgG production: controls, 7; patients, 5; median fold-decrease of IgM production: controls, 17; patients, 4). Our preliminary findings indicate that third-party MSC are able to suppress antibody production in vitro, and may therefore help to overcome a positive cross-match in sensitized transplant recipients. These results may also contribute to partly explain the mechanism at the basis of the favourable effect played by MSC in patients with GVHD.

Inhibition of PDGFRβ by Imatinib Mesylate Suppresses Proliferation and Alters Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro.

Blood ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 108 (11) ◽  
pp. 2563-2563
Author(s):  
Fernando Fierro ◽  
Thomas Illmer ◽  
Duhoui Jing ◽  
Philip Le Coutre ◽  
Gerhard Ehninger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Tyrosine Kinase ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cells ◽  
Imatinib Mesylate ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem

Abstract Recent data show that the tyrosine kinase inhibitor Imatinib mesylate (IM) also affects normal hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), T lymphocyte activation and dendritic cell function not relying on the specific inhibition of bcr-abl activity. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been identified in the bone marrow (BM) as multipotent non-hematopoietic progenitor cells that differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, tenocytes, skeletal myocytes, and cells of visceral mesoderm. MSC interact with HSC, influencing their homing and differentiation through cell-cell contact and the production of factors including chemokines We evaluated possible effects of IM in vitro on human bone marrow-derived MSC. Screening the activity of fourty-two receptor tyrosine kinases by a phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK)-array revealed an exclusive inhibition of platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFRβ) by IM which consequently affects downstream targets of PDGFRβ as Akt and Erk1/2 signalling pathways in a concentration and time dependent manner. Furthermore, perinuclear multivesicular bodies harbouring PDGFRβ were found within 18–20 hours culture of MSC in the presence of 5 μM IM. Cell proliferation and clonogenicity (evaluated as the capability to form colony forming units - fibroblasts (CFU-F)) of MSC were significantly inhibited by IM in a concentration dependent fashion. IM inhibits significantly the differentiation process of MSC into osteoblasts as evaluated by decreased alkaline phosphatase activity and reduced calcium phosphate precipitates. In contrary, differentiation of MSC into adipocytes was strongly favoured in presence of IM. All these functional deficits described, probably contribute to an observed 50% reduction in the support of clonogenic hematopoietic stem cells, as evaluated by a long term culture-initiating cells (LTC-IC)-based assay. In summary our experiments show that IM inhibits the capacity of human MSC to proliferate and to differentiate into the osteogenic lineage, favouring adipogenesis. This effect is mainly mediated by an inhibition of PDGFRβ autophosphorylation leading to a more pronounced inhibition of PI3K/Akt compared to Erk1/2 signalling. This work confirms the role of PDGFRβ recently described for the proliferation and differentiation potential of MSC and provides a first possible explanation for the altered bone metabolism found in certain patients treated with IM.

scholarly journals Rheb1-Deficient Neutrophils Promote Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Proliferation via Mesenchymal Stem Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Gao ◽  
Shuaibing Hou ◽  
Shengnan Yuan ◽  
Yuxia Wang ◽  
Yanan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Human Mscs ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Progenitor Cell Proliferation ◽  
High Level ◽  
Lower Expression

Myeloid cells have been identified as hematopoietic stem cell (HSC)-regulating cells. However, the mechanisms by which myeloid cells regulate the function of HSCs are not fully defined. Our previous study indicated that the HSCs are over-expanded in Vav1-Cre;Rheb1fl/fl mice. Here, using in vivo and in vitro models, we found that Rheb1-deficient neutrophils remodeled the bone marrow environment and induced expansion of HSCs in vivo. Further studies showed that loss of Rheb1 impaired neutrophils’ ability to secrete IL-6, led mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to produce more SCF, and promote HSC proliferation. We further found that IL-6 suppressed SCF mRNA expression in human MSCs. Interesting, the high level of IL-6 was also related with poor survival of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, and higher expression of IL-6 in CML cells is associated with the lower expression of SCF in MSCs in patients. Our studies suggested that blocking IL-6 signaling pathway might stimulate MSCs to secrete more SCF, and to support hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells proliferation.

scholarly journals Umbilical cord stem cells: biological characteristics, approaches to banking and clinical application

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Nasadyuk
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Clinical Application ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Umbilical Cord Stem Cells

Due to the prominent immunosuppressive and regenerative properties, umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells are the most widely explored in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and posttransplant complications as well as for the facilitation of engraftment of hematopoietic stem cell transplant and cell culturing in vitro. The review presents modern immunophenotypic characterization of the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, approaches to isolation, biobanking, and clinical application.

scholarly journals Platelet Microparticles Accelerate Proliferation and Growth of Mesenchymal Stem Cells through Longevity-Related Genes

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (8) ◽  
pp. 607-614
Author(s):  
Maryam Samareh Salavati Pour ◽  
Fatemeh Hoseinpour Kasgari ◽  
Alireza Farsinejad ◽  
Ahmad Fatemi ◽  
Gholamhossein Hassanshahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Real Time Pcr ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Population Doubling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Population Doubling Time ◽  
Longevity Genes

Background: Due to their self-renewal and differentiation ability, the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been studied extensively. However, the MSCs lifespan is restricted; they undergo several divisions in vitro that cause several alternations in cellular features and relatively lessens their application. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the effect of platelet-derived microparticles (PMPs), a valuable source of proteins, microRNAs (miRNAs), and growth factors, on the expression of hTERT, c-MYC, p16, p53, and p21 as the most important aging and cell longevity genes alongside with population doubling time (PDT) of PMP-treated cells in comparison to a control group. Methods: Umbilical cord MSCs (UC-MSCs) were used in this study, whereby they reached a confluency of 30%. MSCs were treated by PMPs (50 µg/mL), and then, PDT was determined for both groups. Quantitative expression of hTERT, c-MYC, p16, p53, and p21 was examined through quantitative real-time PCR at various intervals (i.e. after five and thirty days as well as freezing-thawing process). Results: Our results demonstrated that the treated group had a shorter PDT in comparison to the control group (P<0.050). The real-Time PCR data also indicated that PMPs were able to remarkably up-regulate hTERT and c-MYC genes expression while down-regulating the expression of p16, p21, and p53 genes (P<0.050), especially following five days of treatment. Conclusion: According to these data, it appears that PMPs are a safe and effective candidate for prolonging the lifespan of UC-MSCs; however, further investigations are needed to corroborate this finding.

scholarly journals Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Modified with Akt1 Ameliorates Acute Liver GVHD

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukun Zhou ◽  
Shuang Liu ◽  
Zhao Wang ◽  
Jianfeng Yao ◽  
Wenbin Cao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Liver Injury ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Ifn Γ ◽  
Immunomodulatory Function

Abstract Background Liver injury associated with acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a frequent and severe complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and remains a major cause of transplant-related mortality. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) has been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for aGVHD. However, the therapeutic effects are not always achieved. In this study, we genetically engineered C57BL/6 mouse BM-MSCs with AKT1 gene and tested whether AKT1-MSCs was superior to control MSCs (Null-MSCs) for cell therapy of liver aGVHD. Results In vitro apoptosis analyses showed that, under both routine culture condition and high concentration interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (100ng/mL) stimulation condition, AKT1-MSCs had a survival (anti-apoptotic) advantage compared to Null-MSCs. In vivo imaging showed that AKT1-MSCs had better homing capacity and longer persistence in injured liver compared to Null-MSCs. Most importantly, AKT1-MSCs demonstrated an enhanced immunomodulatory function by releasing more immunosuppressive cytokines, such as IL-10. Adoptive transfer of AKT1-MSCs mitigated the histopathological abnormalities of concanavalin A(ConA)-induced liver injury along with significantly lowered serum levels of ALT and AST. The attenuation of liver injury correlated with the decrease of TNF-α and IFN-γ both in liver tissue and in the serum. Conclusions In summary, BM-MSCs genetically modified with AKT1 has a survival advantage and an enhanced immunomodulatory function both in vitro and in vivo and thus demonstrates the therapeutic potential for prevention and amelioration of liver GVHD and other immunity-associated liver injuries.

37 Healthy Foals Produced Using Bone Marrow-Mesenchymal Stem Cells as Nuclear Donors in Horse Cloning

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 158
Author(s):  
R. Olivera ◽  
L. Moro ◽  
R. Jordan ◽  
C. Luzzani ◽  
S. Miriuka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Umbilical Cord ◽  
Donor Cell ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nuclear Reprogramming ◽  
Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Somatic cell nuclear transfer efficiency is based on the capacity of the donor cell to be reset and reprogrammed to an embryonic state. So, the less differentiated the donor cells are, the more easily they could be reprogrammed by a recipient cytoplasm. Failures on appropriate nuclear reprogramming frequently lead to abnormalities associated with the placenta, umbilical cord, birthweight, and limbs. In the present study, we evaluated the efficiency of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) compared with adult fibroblasts (AF) as nuclear donors in horse cloning and evaluated both in vitro and in vivo development of the embryos generated. Moreover, we focused on comparing the health of the foals generated and on the presence of anatomical abnormalities in foals produced from the different treatments. Embryos produced by AI, recovered by uterine flushing, and transferred to recipient mares were used as controls. All variables were analysed by Fisher test (P < 0.05). The cloning procedure was performed according to Olivera et al. (2016 PLoS One 11, e0164049, 10.1371/journal.pone.0164049). Both cleavage and blastocyst rates were higher when MSC were used as nuclear donors (P < 0.05). Cleavage rates were 85.6% (3875/4527) v. 90.2% (3095/3432) and blastocyst rates were 10.9% (492/4527) and 18.1% (622/3432) for AF and MSC groups, respectively. In the AF group, 476 blastocysts were transferred to recipient mares (232 transfers), and in the MSC group, 594 blastocysts were transferred 297 transfers). In the AI control group, 88 embryos were transferred. Pregnancies were diagnosed by transrectal ultrasonography 15 days after embryo transfer in all the groups. Pregnancy rates were similar between both cloning groups (41/232, 17.7% and 37/297, 12.5%for AF and MSC, respectively), but higher in the AI group (71/88, 80.7%). However, significant differences were observed in the birth of viable offsprings among the cloning groups. Despite similar rates of foal delivery (AF, 17/41, 41.5%; MSC, 21/37, 56.7%), a higher proportion of viable foals were obtained from the MSC group (20/37, 54.1%) compared with the AF group (9/41, 22%; P < 0.05). Surprisingly, as in the AI group (63/63, 100%), all of the viable foals obtained using MSC (20/20, 100%) were considered normal and did not show abnormalities associated with cloning. In contrast, in the AF group, only 4/9 (44.4%) were considered normal foals. The defects present in the other 5 foals were related to flexural and angular limb deformities and umbilical cord malformations. These were corrected rapidly with standard treatments or, in the case of the umbilical cords, minor surgery. This study shows for the first time that BM-MSC can be used as nuclear donors in horse cloning and that the foals obtained are as healthy as those produced by AI, showing no abnormalities related to deficiencies in nuclear reprogramming.

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