Preclinical Assessment of Safety and Efficacy of Deferoxamine (DFO)-pretreated Feline Adipose Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of deferoxamine (DFO) pretreated feline adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (fATMSCs) for the treatment of inflammatory disorders.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

fATMSCs were isolated from feline adipose tissue and characterized using flow cytometry for surface marker expression and differentiation assays for adipogenic, osteogenic, and chondrogenic lineages. Different concentrations of DFO were used to evaluate its impact on fATMSC activity. The therapeutic potential of these preconditioned cells was validated using a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) by LPS injection. Comprehensive evaluations, including clinical, hematological, and radiological assessments, were conducted before and after intravenous injection of preconditioned cells in three feline subjects.

RESULTS

25 μM DFO pretreatment significantly up-regulated immunomodulatory genes (Tgfb, Hgf, and Tsg-6) in fATMSCs. In the mouse ALI model, DFO-pretreated fATMSCs exhibited enhanced anti-inflammatory effects, reducing inflammatory cytokines (Tnfa, Il1b, Il6). Clinical safety assessment in felines showed no immediate adverse effects, structural alterations, or tumorigenesis.

CONCLUSION

Utilizing a mouse model of acute lung injury, we demonstrated the potential of DFO-pretreated fATMSCs as a safe and effective therapeutic approach for inflammatory disorders.