title: Treatment of perianal fistulas with human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells: a canine model of human fistulizing Crohn's disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional injection of human embryonic stem cell (hESC)-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) in canine anal furunculosis dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs naturally develop an immune-mediated disease called canine anal furunculosis, which shares many features with human fistulizing Crohn's disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The hESC-MSCs were well tolerated and 1 month postinjection, accompanied by reduced serum levels of IL-2 and IL-6, two inflammatory cytokines associated with Crohn's disease. All six dogs were found to be completely free of fistulas at 3 months postinjection. However, at 6 months, two dogs had some fistula relapse.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results of this study provide the first evidence of the safety and therapeutic potential of hESC-MSCs in a large animal model.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Lluís
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferrer
authors.affiliation: Ocata Therapeutics, 33 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA.
authors.forename: Erin A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Kimbrel
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Elizabeth B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zewe
authors.affiliation: Ocata Therapeutics, 33 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA.
authors.forename: Tarja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Juopperi
authors.affiliation: Ocata Therapeutics, 33 Locke Drive, Marlborough, MA 01752, USA.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lanza
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoffman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D064593:Heterografts; D000066449:Human Embryonic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D006801:Humans; D056747:Immunomodulation; D045164:Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D012003:Rectal Fistula / Q000628:therapy*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D016572:Cyclosporine
keywords: Crohn's disease; canine perianal furunculosis; human embryonic stem cells; mesenchymal stem cells; perianal fistulas; pluripotent stem cells