Safety and efficacy of canine gonadal tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells for early myxomatous mitral valve disease

Abstract

Introduction:

This study explored the potential efficacy and safety of therapy with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from gonadal tissue to address the early stage of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), the predominant cardiac condition in dogs.

Methods:

Sixteen dogs diagnosed with MMVD B1 were enrolled in this trial and assigned to either a control group (control group, n = 10) or a group that received MSC derived from gonadal tissue (treatment group, n = 6). In the treatment group, allogeneic MSC derived from gonadal tissue (1 × 10⁶ cells/kg) were intravenously administered at monthly intervals for five or more sessions. Data were compared at baseline and at the endpoint 1-year intervals. The efficacy was assessed using echocardiography, thoracic radiography, NT-proBNP, and the duration from B1 diagnosis to B2 transition to evaluate its effect on MMVD stage progression. Safety was evaluated through physical examinations, blood tests, imaging studies, and monitoring of adverse events.

Results:

After 1 year of observation, the control group exhibited deteriorating echocardiographic parameters, whereas the treatment group displayed no substantial differences between baseline and endpoint measurements. Notably, a statistically significant disparity was noted in the left atrial diameter (p < 0.05) and E-wave velocity (p < 0.05) between the two groups, indicating a favorable impact of MSC derived from the gonadal tissue on left atrial pressure. Additionally, in contrast to the control group, the treatment group demonstrated delayed progression to MMVD stage B2, enabling them to prolong their disease duration without requiring cardiac medication (p = 0.038). In quality of life (QoL) metrics following MSC treatment, appetite showed a statistically significant improvement, increasing from 4 to 4.83 (p < 0.05).

Discussion:

Treatment with gonadal tissue-derived MSCs significantly delayed MMVD stage progression, highlighting the broad potential of MSC derived from gonadal tissue for treating complex veterinary conditions.

1 Introduction

Chronic degenerative valve disease predominantly affects the mitral valve in small dogs and is the most common canine heart disease, accounting for approximately 75% of all cardiac cases (1–3). This degenerative disease causes leaflet thickening, fibrosis, and prolapse leading to blood regurgitation (4). Subsequent volume overload can result in morphological changes in the heart, eventually leading to heart failure and pulmonary edema (2).

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is categorized into four stages: Stage A diagnosing predisposed breeds without evident structural cardiac changes, Stage B for morphological cardiac remodeling, Stage C for clinical signs, and Stage D for resistance to standard treatments (3). MMVD stage B is characterized by the absence of clinical signs. Stage B is further divided into B1 and B2, with B1 indicating morphological changes that do not meet the clinical criteria and B2 indicating more severe morphological changes and mitral valve regurgitation, leading to hemodynamic issues (3). Stage B2 is defined by a murmur intensity grade of 3 or higher, a vertebral heart score exceeding 10.5, an LA:AO ratio of 1.6 or higher, and a left ventricular internal diameter in diastole of 1.7 or higher (3).

Approximately 30% of MMVD progress to heart failure (5). In the EPIC study, Boswood et al. recommended the administration of a single oral medication (pimobendan) at the MMVD B2 stage to prevent the onset of heart failure (6). Heart failure causes mild-to-severe clinical signs, including lethargy, anorexia, coughing, exercise intolerance, collapse, and breathing difficulty (3). Therapy for heart failure requires the coordinated use of multiple drugs, including diuretics, positive inotropic drugs, vasodilator drugs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, beta-adrenergic blockers, or antiarrhythmic drugs (3, 7). Still, medications are the standard options to control clinical signs, but other supportive treatments can be attempted.

Mesenchymal stem cell therapy involves self-renewal, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammation, and immunomodulation (8–11). With the increase in the aging population among humans, there is a corresponding rise in the number of elderly animals in veterinary medicine. Consequently, there is an escalating demand for treatments addressing various intractable diseases, chronic conditions requiring long-term management, and complex health issues in elderly animals. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are emerging as a promising therapeutic solution for these challenges. Mesenchymal stem cells can be derived from various tissues, such as the bone marrow, adipose tissue, and placenta (12). However, the additional surgical procedures necessary to obtain the donor source can lead to significant issues regarding cost, time, and health. Additionally, cryopreserving an animal’s own mesenchymal stem cells at a young age offers the advantage of potentially receiving MSC therapy in the future with reduced immunogenic side effects. Therefore, we investigated the potential of repurposing gonadal tissue, which is typically discarded during neutering procedures, as an innovative source of MSC therapy.

In veterinary medicine, it is primarily used to treat conditions in dogs, such as musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, and renal diseases. In cats, significant therapeutic effects have been reported in cases of ischemic acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, gingivostomatitis, experimental asthma, and chronic enteropathy (13, 14). Various veterinary medicine studies have explored mesenchymal stem cell therapies for various heart conditions. Intracoronary allogeneic cardiosphere-derived stem cells initially show partial improvement in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Fractional shortening (FS%), which is a marker of cardiac function, continued to decrease in the control group. In contrast, mesenchymal stem cell therapy robustly preserved FS% in the treatment group, comprising responders and non-responders to cardiosphere-derived stem cell treatment. Similar trends were noted for percent wall thickness, which also serves as a marker of cardiac function (15). In cases of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy in canines, significant improvement in cardiac function, as indicated by the peak velocity of aortic flow, was observed after the implantation of autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells into the right and left coronary arteries (16). Studies on MSC therapy for canine chronic valvular heart disease have mostly focused on patients with MMVD stages C and D. In addition, Petchdee et al. intravenously transplanted dogs with allogeneic puppy deciduous teeth stem cells (pDSCs). Compared with the control group receiving standard treatment, the MSC therapy group exhibited significant improvements in left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrium and aortic root ratio, ACVIM stage, and quality of life scores up to 60 days after MSC administration (17). In contrast, Yang et al. found that intravenous injection of Wharton jelly derived mesenchymal stem cells into dogs with congestive heart failure secondary to MMVD did not result in significant improvements in cardiac function, prolonged survival time, or therapeutic effects of diuretic dosing (18). This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in canines diagnosed with early stage heart disease (MMVD ACVIM stage B1).

2 Materials and methods

2.1 Study population

Client-owned patients with early stage MMVD (Stage B1) who visited the VIP Animal Medical Center were evaluated at yearly intervals. The patients were divided into gonadal tissue-derived MSC treatment (n = −6) and control (n = 10) groups. Patients’ medical records were reviewed using an electronic charting program (E-friends, pnV Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea). This retrospective study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the VIP Animal Medical Center (protocol no. VIP-0006-SC).

2.1.1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria

From March 2019 to December 2022, client-owned patients with early-stage MMVD (Stage B1) who were diagnosed at the VIP Animal Medical Center were divided into two groups. The “control group” (n = 10) consisted of patients who were only monitored, while the “MSC group” (n = 6) included patients who started gonadal tissue-derived MSCs therapy within 1 year of diagnosis. However, patients with other serious diseases or those who did not visit the hospital within the evaluation period were excluded from the final analysis.

2.2 Tissue collection and cell preparations

We obtained female gonadal tissues (ovaries) that were discarded during neutering surgery at the VIP Animal Medical Center with the consent of the owners. Donors were thoroughly screened for infectious diseases and showed no abnormal findings on blood or imaging examinations. This study was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) of the VIP Animal Medical Center (Protocol no. VIP-0004-SC). Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated as follows. The tissue derived from the donor was extracted from a sterile container using sterilized forceps and transferred to a tube containing 20 mL of Dulbecco’s phosphate-buffered saline (DPBS; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, USA) for thorough washing. This process was repeated three times. After washing, the tissue was transferred to a fresh Petri dish and meticulously cut into approximately 1–2 mm sections using sterilized scissors. Subsequently, it underwent enzymatic digestion in a 1% collagenase diluted solution (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA) along with MEM-alpha medium (α-MEM; Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, USA) for 2 h at 37°C in a water bath. Subsequently, the cell suspension was first filtered using a 100 μm cell strainer (from SPL Life Sciences Co., Gyeonggi-do, Korea) followed by a 40 μm strainer. The resulting cell suspension was centrifuged at 700 g for 10 min at room temperature. The pellet was washed at least three times with DPBS. Subsequently, the cells were resuspended in 1 mL of culture medium. The culture medium consisted of minimum essential medium α (MEM-α) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin/streptomycin. The resuspended cells were then transferred to a 100 mm culture dish containing 9 mL of culture medium and incubated at 37°C with 5% CO₂. The culture medium was changed daily until non-MSC impurities were eliminated, after which it was changed every 2 days.

2.3 Cell characterization

To characterize the MSCs, immunophenotyping were performed via flow cytometry (BD Accuri^™ C6 Plus, BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, USA). Most cells were positive for CD 29 (FITC) and CD 44 (FITC); however, a few were negative for CD90 (PE). FITC-conjugated CD29 (antibody clone MEM-101A; Invitrogen, Massachusetts, USA) and FITC-conjugated CD44 (antibody clone IM7; Invitrogen) were used as canine MSCs. PE-conjugated CD90 (antibody clone YKIX337.217; Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA) was used for canine MSCs.

MSCs were differentiated using commercial kits for 2 weeks and identified via staining for adipocytes (with Oil Red O), osteocytes (with Alizarin Red S), and chondrocytes (with Alcian blue) (StemPro Adipogenesis, Osteogenesis, and Chondrogenesis Differentiation kits, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, USA).

2.4 Mesenchymal stem cell therapy

Allogeneic gonadal tissue-derived MSCs (1 × 10⁶ cells/kg) were intravenously administered at monthly intervals for five or more sessions. Intravenous (IV) injection was administered for approximately 20–30 min at a rate of 0.5–1 mL/min or less, and the syringe was gently rolled to ensure that the diluted cells were fully dispersed before the injection. The dosage and treatment regimen for stem cell therapy were determined based on prior studies (17, 19–21).

To mitigate concerns about potential adverse immune reactions, we administered antihistamine injections prior to treatment, following recommendations from previous literature (22, 23). Before allogeneic mesenchymal stem cell therapy, Chlorpheniramine maleate 0.2 mg/kg, SC (Histamine, SAMU MEDIAN Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea) were administered 30 min before treatment to prevent immune reactions. Fluid therapy was administered for 30 min before and after cell therapy. The main types of fluid used was 0.9% normal saline and the speed was maintained at 2.5 mL/kg/h.

Patients were monitored for over an hour for hypersensitivity reactions before returning home. The patient returned for the evaluation of treatment response or side effects according to the monitoring schedule.

2.5 Assessment of MSC therapy response

Patients in the mesenchymal stem cell therapy group were evaluated by comparing data from the baseline to the endpoint (1 year after treatment). The control group comprised patients diagnosed with MMVD within 1 year who were evaluated by comparing the data from regular heart monitoring examinations at yearly intervals. On the day of MSC therapy, the patients’ body temperatures were monitored. Weight changes were assessed at yearly intervals. To evaluate the safety of MSC treatment, we monitored patient status by comparing pre- and post-treatment results, including complete blood counts, serum chemistry, and electrolytes. Echocardiography results were analyzed in the MSC treatment group before the initiation of mesenchymal stem cell therapy (baseline) and at the 1-year follow-up assessment (endpoint). The control group was compared at 1-year mark after diagnosis in patients with stage B1 MMVD. Patients with MMVD were diagnosed with stage B upon the identification of cardiac remodeling without clinical signs. Specifically, stage B2 was diagnosed if an left atrium: aorta ratio of 1.6 or higher and a left ventricular internal diameter in diastole of 1.7 or higher were confirmed by more than three imaging specialists. If these criteria were not met, the patient was diagnosed with stage B1. Additionally, the prescription and timing of pimobendan, a medication indicated for MMVD stage B2, were reviewed through the patient’s medical records.

We conducted quality of life (QoL) evaluations in both the experimental and control groups using the Canine Health-Related Quality of Life Survey (CHQLS-21) as a reference (24). Each item scored from 1 to 5, where higher scores indicate more positive outcomes.

2.6 Statistical analysis

Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism Version 9 (GraphPad Inc., La Jolla, CA, USA). Numerical data were presented as the mean ± standard deviation. On echocardiography, baseline and endpoint values were compared at yearly intervals for each group using paired t-, nonparametric, and Wilcoxon tests. The comparison between the MSC treatment and control groups involved paired t-, nonparametric, and Mann–Whitney test. p-values are indicated by *p < 0.05 and **p < 0.01 and were considered statistically significant.

3 Results

3.1 MSC characterization and differentiation

The gonadal tissue-derived MSCs exhibited a spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like morphology (Figure 1A). Canine gonadal MSCs were stained for essential MSC-positive markers (CD29, CD44, and CD90) using various antigens. The expression levels of these markers consistently exceeded 95% (Figure 1B). The MSCs were induced to differentiate into chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and adipocytes, and the staining results were positive (Figure 1C).

Figure 1

3.2 Study animals

Data were collected from 16 dogs with MMVD (ACVIM stage B1), with six dogs in the MSC therapy group and 10 in the control group (Table 1). The median ages of the MSC therapy and control groups was 12 and 13 years, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.9257). Similarly, the weights of the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.651) (Table 2).

The MSC therapy group consisted of four spayed females and two neutered males, whereas the control group included four spayed females and six neutered males. In the MSC therapy group, the average time from diagnosis of MMVD ACVIM stage B1 to the initiation of mesenchymal stem cell therapy was 395.17 ± 257.00 days.

3.3 Echocardiographic analysis

At baseline, there was no statistically significant difference observed in echocardiographic and radiographic parameters between the MSC group and the control group (Table 3). Echocardiographic parameter changes were calculated by subtracting baseline measurements from endpoint measurements. The control group demonstrated a statistically significant deterioration in LA (p = 0.0078), LA/AO ratio (p = 0.0117), LVIDDN (p = 0.0098), E-velocity (p-value = 0.0391), and VHS (p = 0.0312) from the baseline to the endpoint at yearly intervals. In contrast, the MSC therapy group exhibited no significant changes in the echocardiographic measurements during the same period. Although not statistically significant, the MSC group showed improved LA and E-velocity (Table 4). In Figure 2A, echocardiographic features of the MSCs and control groups are presented. One patient in the MSC group exhibited a decrease in the LA from 18 mm to 11.9 mm after mesenchymal stem cell treatment, with an improved LA/AO ratio from 1.8 to 1. Additionally, the E-peak improved from 1.1 m/s to 0.8 m/s. For a patient in the control group, the LA increased from 11.9 mm to 14.7 mm over a 1-year interval, with the LA/AO ratio progressing from 1.2 to 1.3. Moreover, the E-peak worsened from 0.9 m/s to 1 m/s. Comparisons were established by subtracting the baseline values from the endpoint values for each parameter, with echocardiographic evaluations conducted at yearly intervals (Table 5). Changes in values were calculated by subtracting the baseline measurements from the endpoint measurements. For LA diameter, differences were observed with −0.48 ± 2.86 mm in the MSC group and 2.97 ± 2.38 mm in the control group (p < 0.05) (Figure 2B). In terms of E-velocity, changes were − 0.08 ± 0.16 m/s in the MSC group and 0.26 ± 0.30 m/s in the control group (p < 0.05) (Figure 2C).

Figure 2

3.4 Comparisons of changes in NT-proBNP between the endpoint and baseline in MSC treatment and control groups

NT-proBNP measurements were performed annually at baseline and endpoint. The change in values was calculated by subtracting the baseline measurements from the endpoint measurements. The mean changes in serum NT-proBNP were 146.80 ± 608.72 pmol/L and 304.14 ± 476.75 pmol/L for the MSC and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed between the control and MSC groups (Figure 3).

Figure 3

3.5 Analyzing the progression of MMVD ACVIM stage using the Kaplan–Meier curve

Among the six dogs in the MSC therapy group, three progressed from MMVD B1 to B2 during the 1-year monitoring period. In contrast, among the 10 dogs in the control group that were monitored for 1 year, five progressed from MMVD B1 to B2 (Table 6). The mean duration from the B1 diagnosis to the transition to B2 was 1101.67 ± 344.78 days in the MSC therapy group and 548.83 ± 248.59 days in the control group. The median progression duration of MMVD (from B1 to B2) was 730 days in the control group and 1,467 days for the MSC group, respectively (p = 0.038) (Figure 4).

Figure 4

3.6 Quality of life scoring evaluation

Quality of life (QoL) metrics were assessed both before and after mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) treatment, demonstrating statistically significant improvements post-treatment. Happiness increased from an average of 3.67 at baseline to 4.5 at the endpoint, and mental status improved from 4.33 to 4.5. Pain levels decreased, with scores rising from 3.83 to 4.33, and appetite showed a statistically significant improvement, increasing from 4 to 4.83 (p < 0.05) (Figure 5). Although other QoL parameters, such as hygiene, water balance, and mobility, also exhibited changes—mobility, for instance, improved from 3.33 to 4.17—these changes were not statistically significant (Figure 6). The overall QoL score increased from 27.83 at baseline to 31 at the endpoint, suggesting an improvement in the patients’ quality of life following MSC therapy. In the control group, no statistically significant differences were observed in the QoL assessment items over the course of 1 year.

Figure 5

Figure 6

3.7 Prescription of medication for MMVD

During the assessment period, pimobendan was prescribed to patients progressing to MMVD stage B2 in both groups (Table 6).

3.8 Safety analysis of MSCs therapy

Weights were measured at yearly intervals in the MSC therapy group. At baseline, the weight was recorded as 5.25 ± 3.17 kg, and at the endpoint, it was 5.38 ± 3.32 kg, indicating a weight increase over the 1-year period. In the control group, the weights at baseline and endpoint were 4.89 ± 1.10 kg and 4.76 ± 1.17 kg, respectively, showing a weight loss trend over the year. However, there was no statistically significant difference in weight changes between baseline and endpoint within each group (MSC therapy group, p = 0.3125; control group, p = 0.3672) (Figures 7A,B). There was also no statistically significant difference in weight changes (endpoint-baseline) between the MSC therapy (0.14 ± 0.22 kg) and control groups (0.00 ± 0.25) (p = 0.1369) (Figure 7C). In the MSC therapy group, blood test results for complete blood count and serum chemistry (glucose, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, ALP, ALT, total protein, albumin, globulin, albumin/globulin ratio, total bilirubin, GGT, total cholesterol, phosphorus, Amylase, Lipase, AST, and TG), and electrolytes (Na⁺,K⁺,Ca²⁺, and Cl⁻) were compared at baseline and short-term (3 months) and long-term (12 months) intervals. No statistically significant differences were observed between the short- and long-term blood test results before and after mesenchymal stem cell treatment (Table 7). During the monitoring period in the MSC therapy group, thoracic radiography and abdominal ultrasonography revealed no evidence of tumor formation. No short- or long-term adverse reactions were observed after the mesenchymal stem cell therapy.

Figure 7

4 Discussion

Both the MSCs therapy group and the control group corresponded to MMVD stage B1. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gonadal tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy in canine patients with early stage canine MMVD. The MSC treatment group received five or more consecutive intravenous injections and cardiac monitoring was conducted at yearly intervals. The effects of treatment were assessed by comparison with a control group based on the progression to MMVD stage B2 and echocardiographic indicators. A statistically significant disparity was noted in the left atrial diameter (0.48 ± 2.86 mm in the MSC group and 2.97 ± 2.38 mm in the control group) and E-velocity (−0.08 ± 0.16 m/s in the MSC group and 0.26 ± 0.30 m/s in the control group) between the two groups (p < 0.05), indicating a favorable impact of MSC derived from the gonadal tissue on left atrial pressure. Additionally, the median progression duration to MMVD stage B2 was 730 days for the control group and 1,467 days for the MSC group. The treatment group demonstrated delayed progression (p = 0.038), enabling them to prolong their disease duration without requiring cardiac medication. This study revealed positive therapeutic effects in the MSC treatment group in MMVD B1 patients, with no significant adverse events were observed in the short- or long-term monitoring of blood indicators and reactions.

MMVD involves the occurrence of myxomatous degeneration in the mitral valves, which leads to valve fibrosis, morphological changes, and the onset of blood regurgitation, ultimately resulting in heart failure (25). Diego et al. analyzed the proinflammatory and immunological profiles to elucidate the pathophysiological mechanisms of canine MMVD. They found that Treg cells played a role in maintaining peripheral tolerance, and TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels significantly increased with the severity of the disease in MMVD. A positive correlation between IL-6 and left ventricular diastolic volume suggests that inflammatory activation may be involved in cardiac remodeling related to progressive volumetric overload in MMVD (26). Moreover, a study stated that the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling and reactive oxygen species significantly contribute to profibrotic gene expression in myxomatous mitral valves. They suggested that therapies targeting the reduction of TGF-β activation and oxidative stress in early MMVD might help decelerate its progression (4).

Mesenchymal stem cells are known for their ability to regenerate damaged tissues and demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. Notably, mesenchymal stem cell therapy suppresses profibrotic genes in experimental models of liver fibrosis by inhibiting the release of TGF- β (27). By leveraging redox systems, mesenchymal stem cell therapy has shown potential as an antifibrotic intervention to resist reactive oxygen species-induced oxidative stress (28). Patients with acute myocardial infarction demonstrate myocardial protection through mesenchymal stem cell therapy, which notably reduces inflammation, encourages myocardial cell differentiation and angiogenesis in infarct areas, enhances resistance to apoptosis, and hampers fibrosis (29). A limitation of this study is the inability to conduct ELISA tests for anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic markers on serum samples from actual patients. Therefore, future research should aim to address this issue.

In this study, we observed a deterioration in indicators in the control group from echocardiography conducted annually, whereas the mesenchymal stem cell therapy group showed overall maintenance of the indicators. The statistical differences observed in LA diameter and E-peak compared to the control group suggest a positive effect on left atrial pressure. It has been hypothesized that mesenchymal stem cell therapy in MMVD alleviates inflammation and fibrosis of the valve, which lowers the degree of blood reflux and, subsequently, left atrial pressure. Ultimately, it is suggested that these effects lead to a delay in the progression to stage B2 owing to the application of mesenchymal stem cell therapy in the early stages of MMVD.

The administration of mesenchymal stem cells to patients with early stage MMVD offers two key benefits. First, no specific treatment, including medication, is prescribed for MMVD stage B1; regular monitoring is primarily recommended (6). Conversely, based on research involving pimobendan in patients with MMVD stage B2, a decrease in left atrial pressure can be expected with recommended drug therapy (6). Therefore, mesenchymal stem cell therapy may be considered as a preemptive treatment for patients who have not yet been treated.

MSC therapy, when administered during the early stages of MMVD, effectively slows disease progression. This intervention holds promise, as it potentially avoids the side effects associated with multidrug therapy, including diuretics used in heart failure. Diuretics are essential in patients with heart failure. However, they can also lead to renal disease. Late-stage heart failure, they may even trigger a crisis called cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) (30, 31). Veterinarians face a treatment dilemma when managing heart and kidney diseases, which often result in a higher likelihood of mortality (32). By delaying the progression of heart disease and thereby reducing dependence on heart medications, MSC therapy presents a promising avenue for enhancing the quality of life and extending the survival time of patients with MMVD.

High-cost mesenchymal stem cell therapies may be unattainable for MMVD stage B1 who do not require extensive treatment. However, intravenous MSC administration is a suitable option for treating multiple chronic conditions due to the ability of MSCs to disseminate throughout the body (30). For older adult animals with several diseases, mesenchymal stem cell therapy offers not only heart-related benefits but also potential improvements across different diseases. The participants in this study had multiple comorbidities, and mesenchymal stem cell therapy was considered for its potential efficacy. Repeated MSC treatments are safe for older dogs with multiple health issues, including heart disease.

Determining an appropriate administration route is crucial in mesenchymal stem cell therapy depending on the characteristics of the disease (33). Various routes, such as intracoronary, intramyocardial injection, IV, and patch forms, have been studied for mesenchymal stem cell applications in heart diseases (15, 34–37). However, overly aggressive routes may not be advisable because of concerns about cardiac deterioration due to anesthesia or stress in patients with heart disease (38, 39). We demonstrated that a less invasive approach, such as IV administration, may offer therapeutic benefits to patients. Although IV administration may have lower engraftment rates than more aggressive methods, it is presumed to have positive effects on the heart due to the paracrine effects of the mesenchymal stem cell secretome (18). In another study, mesenchymal stem cells that migrated to the lungs of patients with myocardial infarction were redistributed to damaged heart tissue through homing effects (34).

Previous studies of IV MSC therapy in patients with MMVD found it challenging to observe long-term improvements in cardiac function (17, 18). One study showed a decline in results at 60 days compared to 30 days of mesenchymal stem cell therapy, raising concerns about the low survival rates of mesenchymal stem cells (17). In our study, IV mesenchymal stem cell therapy was conducted at 1-month intervals for over five sessions, with some patients receiving up to 12 sessions, resulting in improvements in echocardiographic indicators and a delay in progression to stage B2. This suggests that multiple treatment sessions over time could be more beneficial than a single treatment for patients with MMVD.

A major advantage of gonadal tissue-derived MSCs is that they can utilize the tissue discarded during neutering surgery in young, healthy animals. By collecting tissues from young animals and isolating autologous mesenchymal stem cells preserved through cryopreservation, a cytobanking operation can be established. This allows for the future use of these gonadal tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells when animals reach an older age, when chronic diseases may develop. Jeung et al. reported on the safety of gonadal tissue-derived MSC therapy in geriatric dogs with chronic disease. Additionally, their study indicated that these results support the potential of gonadal tissue-derived MSCs as an effective therapeutic option (40). Through the MSCs’ characterization process, we confirmed that gonadal tissue is a source of MSCs. We demonstrated their safety and efficacy in early-stage MMVD patients.

Although this study included only six dogs in the MSC therapy group, future large-scale studies comparing the effects of mesenchymal stem cell therapy at different MMVD stages are needed to assess its efficacy. Moreover, because of the retrospective nature of the study, which was based on the treatment records of patients, mesenchymal stem cell migration or postmortem biopsies could not be tracked.

In our study, the control group included MMVD B1 patients who received standard management without pharmacological intervention until progression to B2. Due to the retrospective nature of the study, we were unable to implement a placebo treatment to control for potential biases. However, imaging parameters showed no significant differences between the two groups at baseline, indicating that they were comparable before treatment. The differences observed at the endpoint suggest that the potential influence of psychological effects was minimized.

Previous human studies have shown that MSC therapy provides economic benefits in the treatment of chronic and severe diseases. Notably, these studies highlight that MSC therapy can be cost-effective by delaying disease progression, improving quality of life and survival, reducing in-hospital mortality, and increasing discharge rates (41–43). While economic evaluations of MSC therapy have been conducted in human studies, no research has yet explored its economic benefits in canine MMVD, underscoring the need for further investigation in this area.

In conclusion, therapy with MSCs derived from gonadal tissue significantly delayed MMVD progression by maintaining the early-stage for a longer period. Therefore, MSC therapy is considered a safe and effective treatment for patients with MMVD stage B1 who are managed without treatment. Furthermore, the broad applicability of mesenchymal stem cells under complex conditions suggests their wide potential in veterinary medicine.

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