CANINE ADULT STEM CELLS; THEIR BIOLOGY AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL IN HEARTDISEASE

摘要

In pet pedigree dogs cardiac disease is the third biggest cause of mortality after cancer and 'old age' and is therefore of significant importance in Veterinary practice. Acquired cardiac diseases in dogs are predominantly seen in two major categories; cardiomyopathies and valvular degeneration, with congenital causes of disease generally being very rare.l'2. Risk of death from cardiac disease increases with the age of the patient, and is also highly breed specific. For example, large breed dogs, such as Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds are at major risk of developing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) whereas the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a significant risk of developing myxomatous mitral valve disease (MVMD).1 Managing cardiac disease morbidityin the dog has been the focus of significant pharmaceutical research, with the key goal being the improvement of quality of life first and foremost, followed by increased longevity. The need for the study of cardiac diseases in the dog is evident, and the use of stem cells for this is an exciting prospect, not only for study of disease processes in vitro, but also for their future therapeutic potential in vivo.