Summary
The purpose of this study was to investigate the response of suspensory ligament fibroblasts
(SLF) to in vitro stimulation using acellular bone marrow (ABM), platelet rich plasma (in vitro PRP), and serum as potential treatment modalities for suspensory desmitis. Blood,
bone marrow, and suspensory ligaments were collected from five horses. SLF were harvested,
grown until confluent, and stimulated with various concentrations of ABM, PRP, equine
serum, foetal bovine serum, and medium (control). The responses to the treatments
were assessed using a combination of radiolabeling for total protein synthesis and
an ELISA for quantification of Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein (COMP) production.
Addition of all of the samples resulted in significant increases in COMP and total
protein synthesis over controls (P<0.001). ABM caused the greatest increase in both
COMP and total protein synthesis by the SLF. Equine ABM, PRP, and serum contain anabolic
factors that promote matrix synthesis by SLF in vitro, with ABM having the greatest effect. Application of bone marrow to injured ligaments
may enhance healing by providing anabolic factors, other than or in addition to mesenchymal
stem cells, which stimulate matrix production.
Keywords
Bone marrow aspirate - platelet rich plasma - serum - growth factor - suspensory desmitis.