Intrasynovial soft tissue healing - a novel translational goal for mesenchymal stem cell therapy
Lead Research Organisation:
Royal Veterinary College
Department Name: Clinical Sciences and Services
Abstract
Shoulder pain in very common in humans, of which the most common cause is a tear to a complex arrangement of tendons in the shoulder known as the 'rotator cuff'. Signs include shoulder pain and an inability to raise the arm above the head. These injuries occur as part of an age-related degenerative process and current treatments, frequently involving the injection of corticosteroids into the area, have been shown to be largely ineffective in the long term, even though they can produce short-term pain relief. Surgical repairs of persistent and severe rotator cuff tears are expensive and also frequently fail. There is therefore a need to improve methods of treating this very common condition. One of the leading candidates to provide this extra impetus to achieve functional repair is the use of stem cell therapy. We have recently shown that the use of adult stem cells (known as mesenchymal stem cells) brings apparent clinical benefit in the treatment of equine overstrain tendon injuries and so we propose to deliver live stem cells from the same individual who has the injury, prepared from two different but clinically practical sources - from the bone marrow or from the synovial cells within, or lining, the cavity in which the tendon lies. These cells could be easily delivered either by injection or at the time of surgery. This project tests the hypothesis that the administration of stem cells will improve the healing of tendons inside a synovial environment. It will use a large animal experimental model with similarities to the natural disease in humans to support a subsequent (if the project is successful) application to undertake a 'first-in-man' clinical trial after the conclusion of the project.
The project is composed of two complimentary, but not inter-dependent, project phases. The first will investigate, in the laboratory, the effects of stem cells on tendon sections in a culture dish. This will allow us to determine optimal dosages, compare the performance of the different cell types, and evaluate two possible mechanisms of action - the ability of the cells to 'seal' the surface of a damaged tendon and to actively heal it - which has enabled us to limit the number of animals needed in the second phase of the study. Here we will use a novel, recently validated, but more highly relevant, cost-effective model in the sheep. This model consists of a reproducible surgical defect in a tendon created by key-hole surgery which does not result in significant discomfort post-operatively but does produce a similar lack of healing to that seen in rotator cuff disease. The use of a 'large animal' model also enables us to use cells prepared from the same animal in a manner identical to that proposed for use in humans thereby making it most relevant to inform the early translation of the technology subsequently for human medical use.
The project is composed of two complimentary, but not inter-dependent, project phases. The first will investigate, in the laboratory, the effects of stem cells on tendon sections in a culture dish. This will allow us to determine optimal dosages, compare the performance of the different cell types, and evaluate two possible mechanisms of action - the ability of the cells to 'seal' the surface of a damaged tendon and to actively heal it - which has enabled us to limit the number of animals needed in the second phase of the study. Here we will use a novel, recently validated, but more highly relevant, cost-effective model in the sheep. This model consists of a reproducible surgical defect in a tendon created by key-hole surgery which does not result in significant discomfort post-operatively but does produce a similar lack of healing to that seen in rotator cuff disease. The use of a 'large animal' model also enables us to use cells prepared from the same animal in a manner identical to that proposed for use in humans thereby making it most relevant to inform the early translation of the technology subsequently for human medical use.
Technical Summary
Rotator cuff tears in humans are common but are still associated with poor outcomes because of their location under compression and within a synovial environment which limits repair. This project tests the hypothesis that the intra-synovial administration of cultured autologous bone marrow or synovial fluid derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) will improve intra-synovial healing of tendons. The project is composed of two complimentary, but not inter-dependent, work packages. The first will establish the relative ability of both two types of MSCs (leading candidates for clinical use derived from bone marrow and synovial fluid/membrane) to augment repair in vitro via two possible mechanisms -engraftment and sealing of the tendon defect to prevent loss of extracellular matrix components which drive synovial inflammation, and their capacity to modulate new matrix synthesis and repair of the defect. The second work package utilises a recently validated, novel, and more highly relevant, cost-effective injury model in a cost-effective large animal (sheep). This model consists of a reproducible surgical defect created tenoscopically in an intra-synovial portion of a tendon that is under compressive load, more analgous to rotator cuff disease than current laboratory animal models of shoulder tendon transection in a quadruped (which are extrasynovial). The use of a large animal enables us to perform autologous injection of MSCs in a manner identical to that proposed for use in humans. This controlled study will compare the effects of treatment with the two types of MSC with saline injection. The data provided in this study will provide in vitro mechanistic data and experimental in vivo verification in a large animal experimental model with similarities to the natural disease in humans to support an application for a Clinical Trials Authorisation for a 'first-in-man' clinical trial planned to dovetail with the end of this project.
Planned Impact
Rotator cuff degeneration and tears pose a significant socioeconomic and treatment challenge. It is the second most common problem in professional sport but also affects the wider population, being the third most common musculoskeletal complaint in general practice with up to 30% of all adults being affected, and 40-50% of patients in the UK consulting their general practitioners for shoulder pain.
The absence of curative treatments usually results in 40-50% of patients having persistent or recurrent symptoms after a year. Even surgical approaches, which are expensive, have a high failure rate and are often unsuccessful in the long term.
This study has been designed both to validate a novel research model for studying this area of major and unsatisfied clinical need, and to answer outstanding questions relating to a cell therapeutic approach within a synovial cavity, so as to justify the subsequent application for a Clinical Trials Authorisation.
Beyond the beneficiaries within the academic communities concerned with this research, several distinct groups have the potential to benefit from its outputs: primarily patients (ageing population and injured athletes) - the large number of people with shoulder pain, as well as potentially other intra-synovial tendon or ligament injuries (together with veterinary patients - from a UK population of circa 800,000 'equine athletes') - who may regain considerable quality of life, a return to professional activity or greater independence and freedom from pain through effective novel stem-cell based therapies.
The ability to offer effective treatment for these conditions will impact significantly on health services. It is anticipated that stem-cell based therapy would be relatively low-cost in comparison with surgery and associated management, and over time there should be significant cost savings through the reduced care needs of ageing/injured patients helped towards greater independence. Consequently the families of patients and other carers, along with charities active in healthcare, fitness and wellbeing will also gain benefit. Outside the NHS, private human and veterinary medicine may benefit through a novel clinical business opportunity, and may be supported by companies offering expansion of harvested stem cells (as is currently undertaken by VetCell for treatment of equine digital flexor tendon overstrain injury).
The concept of a biological, cell-based therapy has already attracted much interest from the potential 'users' of the technology such as orthopaedic surgeons and sports physicians, and so if the technology proves successful in this animal model, we believe that such users will very quickly 'buy into' the use of this technology within the clinical setting. There are several leading UK surgeons, including one of the co-applicants (Professor Carr), who are keen to pursue this technology in a well-constructed human clinical trial, should the evidence provided by this study indicate that this approach is likely to be successful and safe. Discussions with clinicians have prompted comments such as: "At present the management of human tendinopathy is more an art than a science but this approach could potentially reverse that situation"; and "If you assume that degeneration of the shoulder with tendonitis is universal, the numbers of patients who might benefit from your injection is immense .... In summary I think the treatment would be useful to both me and my colleagues."
If both this study and the subsequent human clinical trial are successful, we anticipate that the adoption of the technology would be rapid, providing impact with substantial reach and significance.
The absence of curative treatments usually results in 40-50% of patients having persistent or recurrent symptoms after a year. Even surgical approaches, which are expensive, have a high failure rate and are often unsuccessful in the long term.
This study has been designed both to validate a novel research model for studying this area of major and unsatisfied clinical need, and to answer outstanding questions relating to a cell therapeutic approach within a synovial cavity, so as to justify the subsequent application for a Clinical Trials Authorisation.
Beyond the beneficiaries within the academic communities concerned with this research, several distinct groups have the potential to benefit from its outputs: primarily patients (ageing population and injured athletes) - the large number of people with shoulder pain, as well as potentially other intra-synovial tendon or ligament injuries (together with veterinary patients - from a UK population of circa 800,000 'equine athletes') - who may regain considerable quality of life, a return to professional activity or greater independence and freedom from pain through effective novel stem-cell based therapies.
The ability to offer effective treatment for these conditions will impact significantly on health services. It is anticipated that stem-cell based therapy would be relatively low-cost in comparison with surgery and associated management, and over time there should be significant cost savings through the reduced care needs of ageing/injured patients helped towards greater independence. Consequently the families of patients and other carers, along with charities active in healthcare, fitness and wellbeing will also gain benefit. Outside the NHS, private human and veterinary medicine may benefit through a novel clinical business opportunity, and may be supported by companies offering expansion of harvested stem cells (as is currently undertaken by VetCell for treatment of equine digital flexor tendon overstrain injury).
The concept of a biological, cell-based therapy has already attracted much interest from the potential 'users' of the technology such as orthopaedic surgeons and sports physicians, and so if the technology proves successful in this animal model, we believe that such users will very quickly 'buy into' the use of this technology within the clinical setting. There are several leading UK surgeons, including one of the co-applicants (Professor Carr), who are keen to pursue this technology in a well-constructed human clinical trial, should the evidence provided by this study indicate that this approach is likely to be successful and safe. Discussions with clinicians have prompted comments such as: "At present the management of human tendinopathy is more an art than a science but this approach could potentially reverse that situation"; and "If you assume that degeneration of the shoulder with tendonitis is universal, the numbers of patients who might benefit from your injection is immense .... In summary I think the treatment would be useful to both me and my colleagues."
If both this study and the subsequent human clinical trial are successful, we anticipate that the adoption of the technology would be rapid, providing impact with substantial reach and significance.
Organisations
- Royal Veterinary College (Lead Research Organisation)
- Newmarket Equine Hospital (Collaboration)
- University College London (Collaboration)
- ANIMAL HEALTH TRUST (Collaboration)
- Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic (Collaboration)
- Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket (Collaboration)
- National University of Ireland, Galway (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD (Collaboration)
- University of Lyon (Collaboration)
- Reference Hospital The Equine (Collaboration)
- Eindhoven University of Technology (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF LEEDS (Collaboration)
- InGeneron, Inc (Collaboration)
Publications
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Bergqvist F
(2019)
Divergent roles of prostacyclin and PGE2 in human tendinopathy.
in Arthritis research & therapy
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Craig RS
(2019)
Serious adverse events and lifetime risk of reoperation after elective shoulder replacement: population based cohort study using hospital episode statistics for England.
in BMJ (Clinical research ed.)
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Garvican E
(2016)
Exposure of a tendon extracellular matrix to synovial fluid triggers endogenous and engrafted cell death: A mechanism for failed healing of intrathecal tendon injuries
in Connective Tissue Research
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Burk J
(2018)
Editorial to the Special Issue "Stem Cell Characterization Across Species".
in Cytometry. Part A : the journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Khan MR
(2016)
Immunophenotypic characterization of ovine mesenchymal stem cells.
in Cytometry. Part A : the journal of the International Society for Analytical Cytology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Edmonds RE
(2017)
Influence of commonly used pharmaceutical agents on equine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell viability.
in Equine veterinary journal
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Dakin SG
(2019)
15-Epi-LXA4 and MaR1 counter inflammation in stromal cells from patients with Achilles tendinopathy and rupture.
in FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Ribitsch I
(2020)
Large Animal Models in Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: To Do or Not to Do.
in Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Khan M. R.
(2013)
Superparamagnetic iron oxide labeling of mesenchymal stem cells and their MRI localization after intra-thecal administration in a sheep model of tendon injury
in INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Martins JA
(2020)
Polydioxanone implants: A systematic review on safety and performance in patients.
in Journal of biomaterials applications
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Khan MR
(2020)
Evaluation of the Effects of Synovial Multipotent Cells on Deep Digital Flexor Tendon Repair in a Large Animal Model of Intra-Synovial Tendinopathy.
in Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Smith RKW
(2021)
"One Health" in tendinopathy research: Current concepts.
in Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Dakin SG
(2019)
Author Correction: Pathogenic stromal cells as therapeutic targets in joint inflammation.
in Nature reviews. Rheumatology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Rashid M
(2020)
Histological evaluation of cellular response to a multifilament electrospun suture for tendon repair.
in PloS one
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Lach AA
(2019)
Pyridine as an additive to improve the deposition of continuous electrospun filaments.
in PloS one
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Dakin SG
(2019)
Tissue inflammation signatures point towards resolution in adhesive capsulitis.
in Rheumatology (Oxford, England)
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Morita W
(2019)
ERK1/2 drives IL-1ß-induced expression of TGF-ß1 and BMP-2 in torn tendons.
in Scientific reports
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Khan MR
(2018)
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells do not enhance intra-synovial tendon healing despite engraftment and homing to niches within the synovium.
in Stem cell research & therapy
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
Dakin SG
(2019)
Proresolving Mediators LXB4 and RvE1 Regulate Inflammation in Stromal Cells from Patients with Shoulder Tendon Tears.
in The American journal of pathology
![publication icon](/resources/img/placeholder-60x60.png)
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Description | Chairman of Trials Steering Committee |
Geographic Reach | National |
Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
Impact | I am Chairman of a Trials Steering Committee for a trial on the effectiveness of PRP (platelet-rich plasma) in the treatment of Achilles tendinopathy in humans. It is a multi-centre trial run from Oxford. |
Description | EU Horizon 2020 Innovative Training Network |
Amount | € 3,876,961 (EUR) |
Funding ID | 676338 |
Organisation | European Union |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 02/2016 |
End | 01/2020 |
Description | Health Innovation Challenge Fund (HICF) |
Amount | £1,394,604 (GBP) |
Funding ID | HICF-R10-557 |
Organisation | Wellcome Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2016 |
End | 09/2020 |
Description | PhD studentship Scheme |
Amount | £78,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 10/2012 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | RVC-CDP funding |
Amount | £24,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | 2000 RES 2877 (RVC grant reference number) |
Organisation | Royal Veterinary College (RVC) |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2013 |
End | 12/2014 |
Title | MION-MRI |
Description | A method for tracking stem cells by MRI in vivo, using iron nanoparticles. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This has allowed us to track and to establish the location of stem cells injected into the forelimb tendon synovial sheath by MRI of the forelimbs. The method verified in a small test group that the MSCs could be precisely implanted into the tendon sheath and that the cells were distributed throughout the synovial cavity one week after implantation. Limitations identified where the difficulty in detecting hypointense MION labelled cells against hypointense tendon and large numbers of cells to be detectable using a 1.5Tesla MRI machine. However, this was an essential first objective prior to commencing the main study with a large number of sheep. |
Title | Optimised tendon histology scoring system |
Description | We have developed and validated a modified scoring system of greater relevance for mammalian models of tendon injury |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2018 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This technique is now being used for the assessment of our current experimental work on equine tendon injury |
Title | Sheep BM and SM MSCs |
Description | Mesenchymal stem cell lines derived from sheep bone marrow and tendon sheath synovial membrane (approximately 72 of each). |
Type Of Material | Cell line |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This is an on-going study and we expect notable impacts to arise from the comparison of the stem cell characteristics from the two tissues, in terms of cell surface markers, differentiation ability and efficacy of repair of surgically induced lesions in the sheel forelimb deep digital flexor tendon. |
Title | Sheep MSC CD markers |
Description | Cross species antibodies to characterise CD markers of stem cells are a limiting factor in establishing relevant disease models tin different species to the human. The assays established herein have identified a number of commercially available antibodies (to other species) that have good antigenecity to sheep antigens. This are key to this project to characterise the cells used and will be a useful resource to other investigators for studies of stem cell therapies using the sheep to model diseases. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This has advanced out work in characterising sheep MSCs but is as yet in early stages of the project to have a notable impact to other investigators. |
Title | Sheep intrasynovial tendon injury model |
Description | The establishment (method and procedure) of a novel reproducible large animal model (using arthroscopic surgery in the digital sheath of the ovine distal limb) of tendon injuries that occur in a synovial environment. |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Injuries occurring to compressed tendons located within a synovial environment occur commonly in humans (e.g. rotator cuff) and in athletic horses but fail to heal well. Our sheep model provides a suitable and appropriate large animal model to study treatment options and is more appropriate than small animal (rodent) models. The model is highly reproducible, well tolerated by the sheep and its establishment has been crucial to test intra-synovial stem cell therapies for this work. |
Title | Sheep model of intra-thecal tendon injury |
Description | We have developed a new model for the creation of intra-thecal tendon defects using arthroscopic surgery in the digital sheath of the ovine distal limb. |
Type Of Material | Model of mechanisms or symptoms - mammalian in vivo |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | This model allows the evaluation of treatments (eg cellular therapies) of relevance to human intra-thecal tendon injuries (eg rotator cuff tears). |
Description | Arthrostem |
Organisation | Reference Hospital The Equine |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | This project investigated the use of scaffolds to retain mesenchymal stem cells in a synovial environment (joint). We provided expertise in experiment design and analysis of the data |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators provided horses with naturally-occurring osteoarthritis for this experimental study. |
Impact | Analysis of the intra-synovial cell retention with the scaffolds we have investigated for soft tissue implantation did not appear to retain cells any better than simple injection. |
Start Year | 2015 |
Description | DDFT Clinical Trial |
Organisation | Animal Health Trust |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
PI Contribution | Our experience with our novel tendon disease model developed in the MRC-funded project (sheep intra-synovial tendon injury) has led us to initiate a clinical trail jointly with four other referral hospitals in Newmarket - the Animal Health Trust (AHT), Newmarket Hospital (NEH), Rossdales Equine Hospital and Bell Equine Veterinary Hospital - to treat similar naturally-occurring injuries to the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse using mesenchymal stem cells. This is a proof-of-principle trial. Our contribution includes experience in establishing clinical trials in the horse, preparation and clinical delivery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, management and administration of multi-institutional project and providing indirect funding (dedicated personnel to work on the project and institutional facilities) and direct funding (laboratory costs supported by a grant from the Concept Development Fund at the Royal Veterinary College). |
Collaborator Contribution | The AHT has contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study, indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges as well as the training in advanced stem cell characterisation for a postdoc dedicated to this project), and direct funding (for the postdoc). The NEH and Rossdales have contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study and indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges). |
Impact | The trial has been completed and the results were consistent with the sheep model in that there was no tangible additional benefit of the implanted mesenchymal stem cells. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | DDFT Clinical Trial |
Organisation | Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Our experience with our novel tendon disease model developed in the MRC-funded project (sheep intra-synovial tendon injury) has led us to initiate a clinical trail jointly with four other referral hospitals in Newmarket - the Animal Health Trust (AHT), Newmarket Hospital (NEH), Rossdales Equine Hospital and Bell Equine Veterinary Hospital - to treat similar naturally-occurring injuries to the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse using mesenchymal stem cells. This is a proof-of-principle trial. Our contribution includes experience in establishing clinical trials in the horse, preparation and clinical delivery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, management and administration of multi-institutional project and providing indirect funding (dedicated personnel to work on the project and institutional facilities) and direct funding (laboratory costs supported by a grant from the Concept Development Fund at the Royal Veterinary College). |
Collaborator Contribution | The AHT has contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study, indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges as well as the training in advanced stem cell characterisation for a postdoc dedicated to this project), and direct funding (for the postdoc). The NEH and Rossdales have contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study and indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges). |
Impact | The trial has been completed and the results were consistent with the sheep model in that there was no tangible additional benefit of the implanted mesenchymal stem cells. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | DDFT Clinical Trial |
Organisation | Newmarket Equine Hospital |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Our experience with our novel tendon disease model developed in the MRC-funded project (sheep intra-synovial tendon injury) has led us to initiate a clinical trail jointly with four other referral hospitals in Newmarket - the Animal Health Trust (AHT), Newmarket Hospital (NEH), Rossdales Equine Hospital and Bell Equine Veterinary Hospital - to treat similar naturally-occurring injuries to the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse using mesenchymal stem cells. This is a proof-of-principle trial. Our contribution includes experience in establishing clinical trials in the horse, preparation and clinical delivery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, management and administration of multi-institutional project and providing indirect funding (dedicated personnel to work on the project and institutional facilities) and direct funding (laboratory costs supported by a grant from the Concept Development Fund at the Royal Veterinary College). |
Collaborator Contribution | The AHT has contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study, indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges as well as the training in advanced stem cell characterisation for a postdoc dedicated to this project), and direct funding (for the postdoc). The NEH and Rossdales have contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study and indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges). |
Impact | The trial has been completed and the results were consistent with the sheep model in that there was no tangible additional benefit of the implanted mesenchymal stem cells. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | DDFT Clinical Trial |
Organisation | Rossdales Equine Hospital, Newmarket |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | Our experience with our novel tendon disease model developed in the MRC-funded project (sheep intra-synovial tendon injury) has led us to initiate a clinical trail jointly with four other referral hospitals in Newmarket - the Animal Health Trust (AHT), Newmarket Hospital (NEH), Rossdales Equine Hospital and Bell Equine Veterinary Hospital - to treat similar naturally-occurring injuries to the deep digital flexor tendon in the horse using mesenchymal stem cells. This is a proof-of-principle trial. Our contribution includes experience in establishing clinical trials in the horse, preparation and clinical delivery of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells, management and administration of multi-institutional project and providing indirect funding (dedicated personnel to work on the project and institutional facilities) and direct funding (laboratory costs supported by a grant from the Concept Development Fund at the Royal Veterinary College). |
Collaborator Contribution | The AHT has contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study, indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges as well as the training in advanced stem cell characterisation for a postdoc dedicated to this project), and direct funding (for the postdoc). The NEH and Rossdales have contributed by recruiting appropriate clinical cases to the study and indirect funding (costs associated with surgeon and hospital charges). |
Impact | The trial has been completed and the results were consistent with the sheep model in that there was no tangible additional benefit of the implanted mesenchymal stem cells. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | ESTEM |
Organisation | Reference Hospital The Equine |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | The work with this group has developed non-invasive labelling technologies for monitoring mesenchymal stem cell districution and retention after implantation in horses (see Becerra et al., Journal of Orthopaedic Research, 2013 for initial output). This project uses this technology to test different methods for improving retention of stem cells within tendon lesions in horses with natural disease. We are contributing by providing the technology for cell retention. In addition we will be training our partner in the application of this technology. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our partner has secured the funding for this work and will recruit the horses, provide the surgery and hospital facilities. |
Impact | Becerra P1, Valdés Vázquez MA, Dudhia J, Fiske-Jackson AR, Neves F, Hartman NG, Smith RK. Distribution of injected technetium(99m)-labeled mesenchymal stem cells in horses with naturally occurring tendinopathy. J Orthop Res. 2013 Jul;31(7):1096-102. doi: 10.1002/jor.22338. Epub 2013 Mar 18. |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | HICF Project |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Botnar Research Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Our group undertook the pre-clinical work for a nano fibre scaffold being developed for rotator cuff repair in humans, using the same model in the sheep developed during the MRC project. |
Collaborator Contribution | Our collaborators developed the scaffold and provided it for use in the sheep model |
Impact | The pre-clinical results in the sheep model were highly positive which achieved the relevant milestone to continue with its development for human use. Two papers have been prepared and submitted for publication and are currently under review. |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ITN Tendon Therapy Train |
Organisation | Eindhoven University of Technology |
Country | Netherlands |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are part of a consortium providing training for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of regenerative medicine for tendons. We have two ESRs who are working on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for tendon repair. |
Collaborator Contribution | The ITN partners are developing a bioengineered cell composite for testing by us in a large animal model. One of our ESRs has spent a significant time at the Einhoven University of Technology with one of the ITN partners. The in vivo phase of the work was performed at La Equina, Hospital de Referencia with the financial and in-kind equipment assistance from InGeneron. Surgical procedures were performed in collaboration with the University of Lyon. |
Impact | None at present - but PhD programme completed by one of the ESRs who has presented her data at an international conference |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ITN Tendon Therapy Train |
Organisation | InGeneron, Inc |
Country | United States |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | We are part of a consortium providing training for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of regenerative medicine for tendons. We have two ESRs who are working on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for tendon repair. |
Collaborator Contribution | The ITN partners are developing a bioengineered cell composite for testing by us in a large animal model. One of our ESRs has spent a significant time at the Einhoven University of Technology with one of the ITN partners. The in vivo phase of the work was performed at La Equina, Hospital de Referencia with the financial and in-kind equipment assistance from InGeneron. Surgical procedures were performed in collaboration with the University of Lyon. |
Impact | None at present - but PhD programme completed by one of the ESRs who has presented her data at an international conference |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ITN Tendon Therapy Train |
Organisation | Reference Hospital The Equine |
Country | Spain |
Sector | Hospitals |
PI Contribution | We are part of a consortium providing training for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of regenerative medicine for tendons. We have two ESRs who are working on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for tendon repair. |
Collaborator Contribution | The ITN partners are developing a bioengineered cell composite for testing by us in a large animal model. One of our ESRs has spent a significant time at the Einhoven University of Technology with one of the ITN partners. The in vivo phase of the work was performed at La Equina, Hospital de Referencia with the financial and in-kind equipment assistance from InGeneron. Surgical procedures were performed in collaboration with the University of Lyon. |
Impact | None at present - but PhD programme completed by one of the ESRs who has presented her data at an international conference |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ITN Tendon Therapy Train |
Organisation | University of Galway |
Country | Ireland |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are part of a consortium providing training for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of regenerative medicine for tendons. We have two ESRs who are working on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for tendon repair. |
Collaborator Contribution | The ITN partners are developing a bioengineered cell composite for testing by us in a large animal model. One of our ESRs has spent a significant time at the Einhoven University of Technology with one of the ITN partners. The in vivo phase of the work was performed at La Equina, Hospital de Referencia with the financial and in-kind equipment assistance from InGeneron. Surgical procedures were performed in collaboration with the University of Lyon. |
Impact | None at present - but PhD programme completed by one of the ESRs who has presented her data at an international conference |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | ITN Tendon Therapy Train |
Organisation | University of Lyon |
Country | France |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are part of a consortium providing training for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the field of regenerative medicine for tendons. We have two ESRs who are working on the use of mesenchymal stem cells for tendon repair. |
Collaborator Contribution | The ITN partners are developing a bioengineered cell composite for testing by us in a large animal model. One of our ESRs has spent a significant time at the Einhoven University of Technology with one of the ITN partners. The in vivo phase of the work was performed at La Equina, Hospital de Referencia with the financial and in-kind equipment assistance from InGeneron. Surgical procedures were performed in collaboration with the University of Lyon. |
Impact | None at present - but PhD programme completed by one of the ESRs who has presented her data at an international conference |
Start Year | 2016 |
Description | Professor Allen Goodship |
Organisation | University College London |
Department | Institute of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Sciences |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Running experiments |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of facilities and surgical equipment Assistance with animal models Project data discussion |
Impact | Successful MRC grant application Numerous previous successful grant applications and publications |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Professor Andy Carr |
Organisation | University of Oxford |
Department | Botnar Research Centre |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Running experiments |
Collaborator Contribution | Discussion of project design and relevance to human clinical practice |
Impact | Successful MRC grant application Successful TSB grant application |
Start Year | 2012 |
Description | Professor Dennis McGonnagle and Dr. Elena Jones |
Organisation | University of Leeds |
Department | Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Running FACs experiments |
Collaborator Contribution | FACS analysis of stem cells |
Impact | Successful MRC application |
Start Year | 2012 |
Title | ASCAT |
Description | Safety trial in man of a stem cell therapy for Achilles tendinopathy (in collaboration with the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore) - funded by the UK Stem Cell Foundation and due to commence in November 2014. This project has commenced recruitment of patients and is ongoing. |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Cellular and gene therapies |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2014 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | This trial will support the translation of cell therapies into medical practice. |
URL | http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search/StudyDetail.aspx?StudyID=17031 |
Title | Bioyarn |
Description | The development of the ovine model during our MRC-funded project resulted in its slight modification and use for the testing of a novel nanofibre suture material and scaffold for tendon repair being developing as part of a Health Innovation Challenge Fund (The Wellcome Trust) project, led by one of the co-applicants (Professor Andy Carr). |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Medical Devices |
Current Stage Of Development | Refinement. Non-clinical |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2016 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | The development of this medical device offers a real prospect of improving the healing of intra-synovial tendon defects - the subject of our MRC-funded work which failed to show a benefit of mesenchymal stem cells administered intra-synovially. It also offers a future possibility of combining with mesenchymal stem cells in the device to potentially improve its capabilities further. |
Title | RVC-AHT-NEH-Rossdales DDFT trial |
Description | Intra-synovial injected autologous bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy for the treatment of naturally-occurring deep digital flexor tendon injuries that occur within a synovial environment (digital sheath) of the horse's distal limb. Analogous to the sheep experimental model developed in this project and to naturally-occurring rotator cuff tears in humans. |
Type | Therapeutic Intervention - Cellular and gene therapies |
Current Stage Of Development | Early clinical assessment |
Year Development Stage Completed | 2013 |
Development Status | Under active development/distribution |
Impact | Early stage currently. Main impact has been to form collaborations with key clinical referral institutions to conduct this clinical trial. |
Title | Digital sheath tenoscopy in the sheep |
Description | We have adapted the techniques of digital sheath tenoscopy used routinely in the horse (an unusual surgical technique in humans) for use in the sheep for the purpose of this project. This required the use of a small 2.4mm arthroscope and expertise to accurately enter the digital sheath distal to the level of the metacarpophalangeal joint. The advantages of this new technique is that it is minimally invasive, allows excellent visualisation of the structures in the digital sheath at adequate magnification to undertake surgical procedures, and involves continuous flushing with isotonic saline thereby minimising the risks of infection. As a result this minimally invasive technique of creating a linear defect in the deep digital flexor tendon is associated with negligible pain (no lameness is observed in the sheep afterwards) and creates a lesion that does not heal spontaneously over 6 months, making if ideal to test therapeutic strategies for failed tendon healing in a synovial environment. |
Type Of Technology | New/Improved Technique/Technology |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Impact | This technique was developed for the MRC project (work began on this in 2011 but the technique was mainly used during the project (2012-2015)). After its successful use, it has been adopted for a subsequent study on implants for intra-synovial tendon repair. |
Company Name | Recellerate |
Description | Recellerate aims to take a number of veterinary cell therapies through the FDA licensing process. |
Year Established | 2014 |
Impact | None as yet - just established. Anticipated impacts include FDA licensed cellular products for veterinary use and would therefore include products or technology developed from our tendon therapy research. |
Description | AAEP 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Gave a talk entitled 'How to select cases and utilise stem cells for tendon injury' to a large group of veterinary health professionals. This talk generated questions and discussion afterwards. Greater adoption of the technology in clinical practice. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.aaep.org/info/2014-program |
Description | ACHILLES - Advanced Tendon Regenerative Therapies |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | Workshop run as part of training network focussed on tendon regenerative therapies. Two of the investigators on the MRC grant were invited speakers at the event where the work performed on this grant was covered and placed in context with the clinical challenges facing the treatment of tendon injuries. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://termstem.org |
Description | Advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of tendinitis and osteoarthritis in horses, Dubai, October 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a continuing professional development course for equine veterinarians, mainly from Dubai, the Middle East, Africa and China. I gave a number of talks but the relevant one to our MRC-funded work was entitled 'Treatment of tendon injuries: Regenerative Medicine'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.aliuscpd.com |
Description | American University in the Emirates, panel discussion "Application of stem cell therapy in the veterinary horse clinic" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | A panel discussion on the potential commercial investment in veterinary stem cell applications for the horse, camel and falcons in the United Arab Emirates. Panel included the Principal of the AUE, Ministry of Interior, CEO of an American Biotech company. Discussion based around the potential for the exchange of knowledge and investment it both the academic and commercial levels for clinical use of stem cells in the region. The main outcome was to table further discussions to establish details and formal proposals with the American company in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates University (College of Food and Agricultural faculty). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Article for UKVet - practitioner magazine - on regenerative medicine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Wrote an article entitled - 'Regenerative medicine in equine orthopaedics: cellular therapies - what and when? |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | BSMB 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Poster entitled 'Engraftment of implanted mesenchymal stem cells at specific intra-synovial locations' (MR Khan, RD Godoy, AE Goodship1, RKW Smith and J Dudhia) generated discussion at the British Society for Matrix Biology meeting. Exposure of our research to the wider research community. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.bsmb.ac.uk/meetings-index/building-the-extracellular-matrix-molecules-cells-and-evolution... |
Description | BioWednesday May 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Gave presentation entitled 'A rapid commercial translation of stem cell treatment for equine tendon injuries - highs and lows' to local SMEs, consisting of a mix of people from scientists to business people, lay people and undergraduates. Interaction with potential industry partners |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
URL | http://www.lbic.com/news-and-events/biowednesday |
Description | British Equine Veterinary Association Pre-congress workshop |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a pre-congress work-shop for veterinary practitioners interested in new developments for the treatment of musculoskeletal disease. I was asked to give a presentation on 'The science behind regenerative medicine' and included data generated from our MRC-funded work. The delegates were equine veterinarians who have access to the use of stem cells for the treatment of tendon and ligament and joint diseases in horses so knowledge on the science behind their use is essential for these products to be used correctly. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | https://www.beva.org.uk/Home/Education/CPD/Event-Details/eventDateId/72 |
Description | CALIN (Celtic Advanced Life Science Innovation Network) event: Cell Therapy in Human and Veterinary Medicine: One Health Initiative |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an initiative from the National University of Ireland at Galway addressing common issues relating to the use of cellular therapies in human and animals. TThe event included a talk from Prof. Smith entitled 'Stem cell treatment of equine tendinopathy - past, present and future' where he included details of the work carried out on this project. The reach and feedback was excellent as detailed by the organisers below: 'We achieved a total number of 202 registrants for this event (over 200% larger than our previous highest total of 94) There were a total of 123 attendees for the webinar (again around 200% larger than our highest total so far of 68) The vast majority of the audience stayed for duration of the webinar with 61% staying (longer than 1hr20), 29% stayed longer than half of the webinar (between 43min-1hr20), 5% stayed for less than half of the webinar (10-43mins) and 5% left after a duration of less than 10mins There was the following breakdown of location for total registrants: 70 UK & Ireland 36 Europe (22 Italy, 7 Macedonia, 2 France, 2 Greece, 1 Spain, 1 Hungary, 1 Ukraine) 6 International (4 US, 1 Canada, 1 Cambodia) 90 Unknown (due to generic email address such as gmail.com etc) There was the following breakdown of location for attendees: 53 UK & Ireland 29 Europe (18 Italy, 6 Macedonia, 2 France, 1 Greece, 1 Spain, 1 Hungary) 3 International (2 US, 1 Canada) 38 Unknown (due to generic email address such as gmail.com etc) Due to the nature of the GoTo webinar registration system now requiring anymore details than name and email (The CALIN website integration has now been fixed, just unfortunately wasn't in time, we cannot get more details about occupation) however from the email address's used I can conclude the following: There were 13 vets/Veterinary practices of medical practices associated emails registered with 8 of those in attendance There were 14 company associated emails registered and 8 of those in attendance There were 82 academic/university associated emails registered and 67 of those in attendance The rest were unknown due to being Gmail, Hotmail etc address that I was unable to discern more information about |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | http://www.calin.wales/en/events?id=74 |
Description | Continuing Professional Development course for veterinary practitioners (VetPD) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | CPD course for veterinary practitioners where I discussed the advances in regenerative medicine, including our studies on intra-synovial administration of mesenchymal stem cells investigated in this project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015,2016 |
Description | Equine Arthritis Event |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This event's aim was to inform equine veterinary practitioners and allied professionals about new treatments for arthritis. Both Prof. Smith and Dr. Dudhia gave presentations (online) relating to stem cell treatments for tendon, ligament and joint diseases. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.pkwevents.co.uk/events-diary/equine-arthritis |
Description | Equitana Round Table Discussion on "Current and future clinical relevance of regenerative therapy in the horse" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The roundtable discussion on the future of regenerative medicine in the horse with participants from human and veterinary medicine and science. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | European College of Veterinary Surgeons Annual Conference 2021 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited speaker on regenerative medicine at the European College of Veterinary Surgeons annual meeting on a combined stream involved small animal and equine veterinarians |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
URL | https://www.ecvs.org/services/asm_2021_sa_programme.php |
Description | Funding raising activity for stem cell company, Recellerate (USA) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation on the translation of regenerative medicine into the veterinary field, including the additional options for treating human intra-synovial disease disease, at which our project was aimed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | Havemeyer - Regenerative Medicine 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Havemeyer workshops bring together expert medical and veterinary practitioners to discuss the current state-of-play in a specific area with respect to identifying further directions for research. Professor Roger Smith was the co-organiser of this focus group entitled 'Second Workshop on Regenerative Medicine'. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.havemeyerfoundation.org/workshops-group6.htm |
Description | Havemeyer - Tendons 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Havemeyer workshops bring together expert medical and veterinary practitioners to discuss the current state-of-play in a specific area with respect to identifying further directions for research. This focus group was on 'Tendinopathies - Workshop III' and was co-organised by Professor Roger Smith. Dr. Dudhia also participated. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://www.havemeyerfoundation.org/workshops-group6.htm |
Description | Havemeyer 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A focussed workshop attended by 30 professionals in the field of tendinopathies, the purpose of which was to generate current progress in the field and identify new direction of research and clinical applications. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | http://havemeyerfoundation.org/workshops-group6.htm |
Description | Havemeyer Conference on Regenerative Medicine |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | I was Co-Chair of this workshop made up of leading scientists (both veterinary and basic scientists) interested in regenerative medicine. I gave a presentation on the current challenges for stem cell therapy (exemplified by some of the results from our MRC-funded work) and Dr. Dudhia (co-applicant) presented the data from the MRC project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://havemeyerfoundation.org/workshops-group6.htm |
Description | ISTS 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | I was an invited plenary speaker for a talk entitled 'Stem cell therapy for tendinopathy - what is the evidence from large animal models?' at the International Scientific Tendinopathy Symposium. This generated some questions and discussion afterwards. Greater understanding of the role of large animal models for the testing of novel treatment strategies for tendon disease. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.ibme.ox.ac.uk/ists2014/Home.html |
Description | InGeneron course, Jan 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a course based around the clinical use of cell therapy in equine patients (sponsored by a company, InGeneron and supported by the British Equine Veterinary Association). I was invited to act as a one of the speakers and demonstrators on the course. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://www.beva.org.uk/Home/Education/CPD/Event-Details/eventDateId/136 |
Description | International Society of Ligament and Tendon 2012 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | Paper presentation on distribution of stem cells using non-invasive monitoring in horses (ISLT - San Francisco, Feb 3rd 2012) Dissemination of results |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | London Matrix Biology 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Regional forum in the matrix biology field, with about 50 participants. A poster presentation entitled "Assessment of the intra-thecal engraftment of synovial membrane derived mesenchymal stromal cells" MR Khan, RKW Smith, R DeGodoy, S Dakin, F David, AE Goodship, J Dudhia. London Matrix Biology forum, October 2013, Rayne Institute, University College London. This provided experience for networking with peers for an early career postdoc (employed on this award). |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | London Matrix Biology 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | A poster entitled 'Assessment of the intra-thecal engraftment of synovial membrane derived mesenchymal stromal cells' (MR Khan, RKW Smith, R DeGodoy, S Dakin, F David, AE Goodship, J Dudhia) generated discussion during the poster session. Greater exposure of our research to the wider research community. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Lyon Comparative Symposium 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Gave a plenary talk entitled 'Mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of tendon injuries in racing Thoroughbreds and sports horses' at the 1st European Comparative Symposium on Equine and Human Sports Medicine, Rehabilitation and Traumatology which generated considerable discussion afterwards in the audience of human and veterinary health professionals and industry participants. Wider dissemination of our research findings and their relevance to the human medical field. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.feiworldcupfinals-lyon.com/uploads/sfSympalBossMediaPlugin/document/9b2a1777c3f97f37a5e94... |
Description | Magazine article |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | By invitation, a lay article (Stem Cell: an elusive force of nature) on stem cells covering general background, development of stem cell therapy in the horse for the treatment of tendon injuries and a brief overview of the current regulations covering the use of stem cells in veterinary medicine. The readership includes the general public interested in horses (for leisure, sports and racing use), veterinary professionals and industry with an interest in equine veterinary medicine. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/full/10.12968/eqhe.2020.51.14 |
Description | North Eastern Association of Equine Veterinary Practitioners annual meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY, USA |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Practitioner Group where I was invited to give a number of presentations, including on regenerative medicine where I presented some of the data from this study |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
URL | https://www.theneaep.com/symposium-2019-1 |
Description | ORS 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Poster at the Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting on 'Modulatory effects of mesenchymal stem cells adhered to tendon surfaces in-vitro' (Garvican, Alves, Smith, and Dudhia) Many discussions around poster |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | ORS 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Poster presented entitled 'Comparing the intra-thecal tendon sheath engraftment of synovial membrane and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells' at the Annual Meeting of the Orthopaedic Research Society which generated discussion around the poster and an abstract publication. Dissemination of our research findings related to the MRC-funded project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.ors.org/2014annualmeeting/ |
Description | Orthopaedic Research Society invited webinar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited webinar on Cellular Therapies in Tendon Repair and Regeneration by the Orthopaedic Research Society |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.ors.org/ors-education-online/ |
Description | Panel membership at commercial conference |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | Member of a panel (Break out panel: exploring the crossover between human and veterinary applications for stem cells) at the World Advanced Therapies and Regenerative Medicine Congress in London in May 2018 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Regenerative Medicine Focused Meeting RVC 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Gave a presentation entitled 'Stem cell research at the RVC: the horse experience' to stimulate discussion relating to the formation of a veterinary stem cell centre at the Royal Veterinary College. This resulted in considerable discussion surrounding this topic. There was interest in our proposal from industry partners. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | Regenerative Medicine Workshop Keele 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | Gave a plenary talk entitled 'Is the horse a relevant model for stem cell therapy of tendon disease?' which generated questions and discussion afterwards and the talk was uploaded onto the website for wider dissemination. Greater understanding of the relevance of large animal models for testing regenerative therapies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://www.epsrc-regen-med.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/PreclinModelRegenMedFlyer10.pdf |
Description | SIMCAV Brazil 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Professor Smith was an invited speaker to give a number of presentations on the treatment of tendon injuries in horses and the use of mesenchymal stem cells for tendon repair to a large group of Brazilian veterinary practitioners |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
URL | https://simcavufmg.files.wordpress.com/2016/12/pragramac3a7c3a3o-simcav.pdf |
Description | The Equine Regenerative Medicine and Orthobiologics Online Summit |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a large international online conference over several weeks focussed on the use of 'orthobiologics' including stem cells. Prof. Smith was asked to speak on the pathogenesis of equine tendinopathy and its relationship to orthobiological therapies. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://www.equineregenerativesummit.com |
Description | United Arab Emirates University talk and discussion on the application of Stem Cells in the Veterinary Clinic |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | A business event at the UAEU at the College of Food and Agricultural for the exchange of knowledge for the clinical application of stem cells in the veterinary clinic. This event included the College Dean, Head of Department, senior academic staff and the CEO of ReCellerate (American Biotech), and the strategic officer of a local investment company. The main outcome was to establish a proposal that outlines the key aims for investing in regenerative medicine research at the College as well as linking this with commercial translation to the horse, camel and falconry clinics in the region. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | University of MINO 2018 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A teaching lecture on animal models and ex vivo explant systems to study and clinically translate orthopaedic research (""Upsizing the lab - experiences of large animal translational models for orthopaedics"). The lecture was at University of MINO (Portugal) at the 3B's Research Institution and made a comparison on strengths of using ex vivo tissue models (used in the NIHR project) and large animal models for successful translation into the clinic. Outcome, potential collaborative work with the 3B's Institute in this area. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | http://www.3bs.uminho.pt |
Description | University of Malaysia Seminar Series |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | A presentation by Dr. Dudhia on the application of stem cells in veterinary medicine to both faculty and postgraduate students at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Malaysia Kelantan |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
Description | VAIBHAV Global Summit, India |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Dr. Dudhia invited to be a panel member discussing new generation veterinary therapeutics and delivered a separate presentation on the therapeutic use of stem cells in animals. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
URL | https://innovate.mygov.in/vaibhav-summit/ |
Description | Veterinary industry presentations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Health professionals |
Results and Impact | Presentations to multiple conferences on stem cells - audiences consist of veterinary surgeons, both in the UK and abroad on the use of stem cells in musculoskeletal disease - approximately 10-15 per year (12 in 2012). 2 talks given to the horse-owning public on tendon injuries and the use of stem cells in treatment of these injuries Excellent feedback on presentations on course feedback forms |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
URL | http://www.vetpd.com/ |
Description | Visiting lecture at the Cambridge Veterinary School |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | Invited lecture to veterinary undergraduates at Cambridge University to educate them in the current research in regenerative medicine and where our experimental study was discussed. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | WVOC 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Gave two invited talks entitled 'Cellular Approaches to ligament and tendon injury' and 'Debates on bone marrow stem cells' at the World Veterinary Orthopaedic Conference which stimulated questions and discussion afterwards. Greater acceptance of cell therapies for clinical use in the horse. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
URL | http://vosdvm.org/meetings/ |
Description | World Equine Veterinary Association Congress |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The World Equine Veterinary Association is an organisation that aims to educate countries with low levels of equine veterinary education. In 2018 their congress was based in Beijing, Chin a and Professor Roger Smith was asked to give a talk entitled 'Stem cell therapy - efficacy of its therapeutic uses' where I included details of our MRC project. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |