Chulalongkorn Universitys Faculty of Veterinary Science and the Faculty of Engineering have worked together to research and develop a three-dimensional artificial cornea from stem cells that offers a way to treat deep corneal wounds in dogs. The innovation helps to solve the problem of treatment methods that rely on tissue replacement which is hard to find and very expensive. It makes it possible for dogs to be able to see clearly and comfortably once again.

Does your dog have any of these symptoms? The inability to fully open its eyes, squinting or blinking frequently, shedding lots of tears, sometimes the tears are thick, and the mucus appears greenish. The sclera is unusually red and not clear like before. The cornea becomes cloudy and there are blood vessels in it.

If your answer is yes then your pet might be suffering from a corneal ulcer which, if left untreated could eventually cause blindness.

Nowadays, the number of dogs receiving treatment for corneal ulcers has increased tremendously.The small animal hospital at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chulalongkorn Universityalone is already treating dogs with corneal ulcers daily.

Veterinarian Dr. Chutirat Torssahakul,the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

We find quite a number of lesions like this in dogs. Corneal ulcers occur as a result of many reasons, such as dogs scratching their own eyes because they have allergies causing itching around the eyes followed by scratching until the lesions form. Fights with other dogs, being scratched by a cat, or accidentally bumps into objectsVeterinarian Dr. Chutirat Torssahakul of the Department of Internal Medicine,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chulalongkorn Universityaddressed the problems that became the starting point for the research and innovation development. Three-dimensional artificial cornea from stem cells enables your beloved pet to have perfect vision once again. The current treatment being used is to have grafts made from replacement tissue derived from porcine bladder or canine placentas which are rare and relatively expensive. There is also the possibility of causing post-surgery reaction and inflammation. Therefore, we thought that if we could produce our own innovative artificial cornea using natural materials that are easily found and reduce the chance of causing inflammation this might be a better option. Dr. Chutirat explained.

Three-dimensional artificial cornea from stem cells a brighter alternative

As a result of the effort and intention to solve eye problems for dogs, the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences research team throughthe Veterinary Stem Cell and Bioengineering Innovation Center (VSCBIC)has therefore embarked on additional studies on stem cells and is working with the Biomedical Engineering Research Center of the Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University recognizing its expertise in tissue engineering to help make adhesive materials for growing stem cells.

Image showing a 3D corneal patch made from silk fibroin and gelatin

According to Veterinary Professor Dr. Chutirat Artificial corneal tissue is obtained by cultivating real dog corneal stem cells on a natural material structure made from silk fibroin mixed with gelatin. The material can be cheaply and easily found in Thailand. It is strong and durable, clear and transparent, and adheres well to cells making them three-dimensional which is comparable to real corneal tissue.

This innovation can be used to treat corneal perforations in dogs as well as large corneal wounds where the tissue cannot be stitched or even deep wounds in which a large amount of corneal tissue has been lost. In cases of dogs with mild or moderate levels of corneal ulcer problems, currently, 2 methods for treatment are still in use.

But in cases where the wound in the cornea is so large that tissue must be used to replace the missing part, we usually use a graft which could be the dogs own conjunctiva. The other option is to use replacement tissue such as tissues derived from human or canine placentas. These are costly and difficult to find so we have invented a new way to treat them and that is the three-dimensional artificial cornea made from stem cells.

4 outstanding features of the 3D artificial cornea innovation

At present, the 3D artificial cornea from stem cells innovation is still in the laboratory testing stage to study whether the 3D artificial cornea can actually be used as a cornea replacement, and to determine how it interacts with the animals body. According to Veterinary Professor Dr. Chutirat in many countries research on such innovations is also currently underway at the laboratory level.

The research we have done has produced satisfactory results. It is expected that this innovation will be applied to dogs in the next few years. Moreover, we have plans to apply this knowledge to cats as well from cell collection, locating cells, separating cells, and arranging cells Dr. Chutirat concluded.

Those who are interested can further read the research paper on the subject at https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35120168/

Original post:
3D Artificial Cornea from Stem Cells: Chula Researchers Advance Canine Corneal Wound Treatment - Times Higher Education

Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy

In recent years, animal stem cell therapy has emerged as a promising avenue in veterinary medicine, offering novel solutions for treating various diseases and injuries in companion and livestock animals. Amidst evolving regulatory landscapes, technological advancements, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the dynamics of the global animal stem cell therapy market is paramount. This blog delves into the size, share, and impact of factors shaping the market from 2023 to 2031.

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The animal stem cell therapy market encompasses a range of products and services aimed at harnessing the regenerative potential of stem cells to treat conditions such as osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and inflammatory bowel disease in animals. Key factors influencing market growth include resin type, application, technology, end-use industry, and regional trends.

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Resin type plays a crucial role in the development and manufacturing of stem cell therapy products for animals. Common materials used in cell culture and scaffold fabrication include synthetic polymers, hydrogels, and extracellular matrix components. Advances in biomaterials science continue to drive innovation, enhancing the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based treatments. Animal stem cell therapy finds applications across diverse veterinary specialties, including orthopedics, neurology, oncology, and wound healing. From autologous stem cell transplantation to allogeneic cell products, the market offers a spectrum of treatment modalities tailored to individual patient needs. Growing awareness of regenerative medicine principles and increasing pet ownership drive market demand.

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Technological advancements play a pivotal role in advancing animal stem cell therapy, facilitating cell isolation, expansion, differentiation, and delivery. Innovations such as automated cell culture systems, three-dimensional bioprinting, and gene editing technologies enhance the scalability and precision of stem cell-based treatments. Moreover, advancements in cryopreservation techniques ensure long-term storage and viability of stem cell products. The end-use industry encompasses veterinary clinics, research institutions, biotechnology companies, and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Collaborations between academia and industry drive translational research and commercialization of stem cell therapies. Moreover, partnerships between veterinary professionals and stem cell therapy providers enhance patient access and clinical outcomes.

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Geographic variations in the animal stem cell therapy market reflect differences in regulatory frameworks, healthcare infrastructure, and socioeconomic factors. While developed regions such as North America and Europe boast robust veterinary healthcare systems and regulatory pathways, emerging economies in Asia-Pacific and Latin America present untapped opportunities for market expansion. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced market dynamics, reshaping healthcare priorities and accelerating digital health solutions.

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This release was published on openPR.

Originally posted here:
"Charting the Course: Global Animal Stem Cell Therapy Market - openPR

Dungdung running around after surgery when he temporarily recovered before his disc symptoms returned. (Image provided by KARA)

SEOUL, May 4 (Korea Bizwire) In a remarkable case highlighting the potential of stem cell treatments for animals, a dog named Dungdung who was paralyzed and unable to walk is regaining mobility after undergoing an innovative therapy in South Korea.

Dungdung was rescued in 2022 by the animal rights group KARA from a factory in Paju, where he had collapsed and could not move. Initially, after disk surgery and rehabilitation, the dog temporarily recovered the ability to walk.

However, within a year his condition relapsed, and he was diagnosed with paralysis of the hind legs, leaving him incontinent.

Seeking an alternative solution, KARA formed a partnership with the Medipet Animal Hospital, which specializes in treating severely ill and injured rescue animals through its animal regenerative medicine center.

Dungdung, who was immobilized when he was rescued. (Image: KARA)

Since March 2024, Dungdung has undergone two stem cell therapy sessions at Medipet, combined with water rehabilitation, cycling exercises, and laser treatments. The results have been astonishing.

The paralyzed legs regained nerve and muscle function, allowing Dungdung to slowly move them again, explained a regenerative medicine expert at Medipet. This shows stem cell therapy can open new possibilities for healing animals with severe, rare, and intractable conditions.

The expert expressed hope that this treatment could not only improve the health of suffering animals but provide a new lease on life for those who had lost hope.

The success of stem cell therapy marks significant progress in the animal welfare field, and we hope this technology can help save more animals, said Jeon Jin-kyung, head of KARA.

Dungdung was found at a factory in Paju.

The group will continue its rescue efforts for animals in distress while collaborating with Medipet on Dungdungs ongoing treatment.

We desperately hope that through intensive care, Dungdung will be able to walk again, said Kim Hyun-jung, director of KARAs animal hospital. Kim emphasized that stem cell therapy could substantially improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms for elderly animals, those who suffered abuse, or were injured in accidents.

She added it represents an important step in enhancing welfare for unadopted senior animals within the organization by working with outside expert institutions.

Updates on Dungdungs pioneering stem cell treatment are being provided on KARAs website and official social media channels.

Dungdung undergoing aquatic rehabilitation therapy.

Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)

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Stem Cell Therapy Offers Hope for Paralyzed Dog's Recovery - The Korea Bizwire

Embryo models generated from human stem cells have provided insights into how identical twins develop.

Blastoids are stem-cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs) that resemble embryos at the blastocyst stage (see BioNews 1020, 1088, 1091, 1124, 1204). Researchers at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, have studied the conditions under which single blastoids and 'twin' blastoids can form. Currently, little is understood about the mechanisms that lead to the formation of monozygotic twin embryos, which is something that occurs more frequently following IVF and that can be associated with pregnancy complications.

'Blastoids are stem-cell-derived in vitro models of the blastocyst stage of embryogenesis,' Dorian Luijkx, from the MERLN Institute and lead author of the study published in Advanced Materials, explained.

To generate blastoids, the researchers seeded stem cells into parallel microwells with transparent walls, which are flat plates with multiple wells used as small test tubes. Within each well, the stem cells clustered together to form structures which the researchers monitored and imaged as they grew. By adding a different combination of growth factors and chemicals to each well, the researchers were able to optimise the conditions for growing twin blastoids on a large scale.

The researchers found that seeding a higher number of stem cells per microwell increased the formation of twin blastoids. They also found that adding a high concentration of chemicals to promote stem cell differentiation into the trophectoderm, which is the outer layer of a blastocyst that goes on to form the placenta, increases the formation of twin blastoids. For this reason, the researchers suggest that rapid expansion of the trophectoderm may be a crucial event leading the inner cell mass to split and form twin blastoids. A similar process may be at work when twinning occurs during the development of embryos.

'We aim to delve deeper into the molecular and biophysical mechanisms that underlie the splitting of the inner cell mass, as these may give us clues as to how twinning rates in assisted reproductive technology can be reduced or completely avoided,' Dr Stefan Giselbrecht, one of the senior authors of the study, said.

To study embryo implantation, single and twin blastoids were moved to a microfluidic chip that contained a small sample of uterine tissue. The scientists noted that the twin blastoids adhered to the uterine tissue at a higher rate than the single blastoids, which Dr Giselbrecht added 'may suggest an advantage for a twin embryo in the implantation stage of development'.

Because blastoids and other SCBEMs are similar to but also different from human embryos, they can pose distinct ethical and regulatory challenges. Last year, the Health Council of the Netherlands recommended that some SCBEMs should be subject to the same regulation as human embryos, while other SCBEMs should not (see BioNews 1214).

In the UK, a project is underway to develop a recommended governance framework for research involving SCBEMs (see BioNews 1194). As part of this project, a public dialogue report has been published exploring what members of the public think and know about SCBEMs (see BioNews 1234). This report is due to be followed by the publication of a Code of Practice for UK research involving SCBEMs.

See the rest here:
Stem-cell-based embryo models used to study human twinning PET - BioNews

Stem-cell-based embryo models (SCBEMs) are, as the term suggests, similar to embryos in some respects but different from embryos in other respects. This is what makes SCBEMs so fascinating and useful in research, but this is also what makes them challenging to think about. Adding to the challenge is the existence of a large (and growing) variety of SCBEMs, which can differ considerably in their nature and extent of similarity to human embryos.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the question of how best to categorise different SCBEMs and assess their most significant attributes is not fully settled. Arriving at a satisfactory answer to this question involves an interplay between scientific, ethical, regulatory and other considerations that is as subtle, in its way, as the interplay between biological phenomena that enables scientists to create SCBEMs in the first place.

All of this has led to some uncertainty regarding what rules should apply to research involving SCBEMs, and whether established rules are sufficient or whether new rules are called for. It became increasingly apparent to both of us, and to the organisations where we work respectively, the Progress Educational Trust (PET, the charity that publishes BioNews) and Cambridge Reproduction (an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together researchers across Cambridge) that there is a need for clearer guidance on the way SCBEMs can, and should, be used in UK research.

This need became particularly apparent at two workshops organised by Cambridge Reproduction in 2022, at which key figures from a wide variety of disciplines suggested that there should be some form of dedicated governance for SCBEM-related research in the UK. A major concern expressed at those workshops was that failure to establish dedicated governance would jeopardise research on (at least) two fronts it threatened to undermine public trust in research, and it was already undermining the confidence of researchers themselves, who wanted to know the boundaries within which they could pursue their work.

In order to address this pressing need for governance, PET and Cambridge Reproduction collaborated in 2023 to launch a project called Governance of Stem Cell-Based Embryo Models (G-SCBEM). For the past year, this project has been developing a Code of Practice for UK research involving SCBEMs (see BioNews 1194).

Work on the Code of Practice is drawing upon the insights of experts and practitioners from various areas of science, law and ethics, both within the UK and overseas. This sort of input is necessary, if the G-SCBEM Code of Practice is to be robust and credible, but it is not sufficient. A vital element that has to be included is the contribution of the general public.

The G-SCBEM Code of Practice will set out things that researchers ought to do and ought not to do so as to meet ethical standards, demonstrate responsibility and transparency, and take account of public hopes, concerns and sensitivities. If these stipulations are to be meaningful, then the Code of Practice must be informed by an accurate sense of how people understand the relevant ethical considerations, what people think is adequate in relation to demonstrating transparency, and what people's hopes, concerns and sensitivities actually are.

For all of these reasons and more, we were delighted to collaborate with social research agency Hopkins Van Mil and other colleagues (with support from Sciencewise and from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council) on a recent public dialogue about SCBEMs. The content and findings of this public dialogue are presented in a new report.

Although the dialogue concerned SCBEMs, all of its public participants had previously participated in a 2023 public dialogue about human embryo research, which was conducted as part of the Human Developmental Biology Initiative (see BioNews 1213). This meant that participants had already had occasion to reflect in depth on the science and ethics of research involving human embryos. This left them well-placed to consider whether, and in what respects, research involving SCBEMs should be regarded differently.

Of course, public views are liable to evolve and the science is developing rapidly, so the G-SCBEM Code of Practice will be revised periodically to take account of the latest developments. But we are keen that the views of the wider public, as well as the views of the other stakeholders in our orbit, should inform the Code of Practice at the very outset. It is thanks to the public dialogue that we will be able to ensure that this is the case.

A growing number of projects, besides ours, are exploring ethical and policy dimensions of SCBEMs. In the UK, there has been a recent briefing on the subject by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, and there is also a project underway from the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. Elsewhere, public perceptions of SCBEMs have recently been explored in the Netherlands, while the International Society for Stem Cell Research is building on its important earlier guidance in this area. We hope that the publication of this public dialogue report, and the imminent publication of the G-SCBEM Code of Practice, will help to establish a clearer context for all of these discussions.

Finally, we wish to conclude by expressing our heartfelt gratitude to the participants in the SCBEM public dialogue. As you will read in the public dialogue report, these participants were asked to consider some of the most cutting-edge achievements and conundrums in present-day research and policy, thinking through and weighing up both the related opportunities and the related risks. This was no easy task, but the insights that they offered in response were and are invaluable.

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Stem cell-based embryo models: addressing the governance gap PET - BioNews