The increasing specificity of novel druggable targets coupled with the complexity of emerging therapeutic modalities for treating human diseases has created a growing need for nonhuman primates (NHPs) as models for translational drug discovery and nonclinical safety assessment. In particular, NHPs are critical for investigating potential unexpected/undesired on-target and off-target liabilities associated with administration of candidate biotherapeutics (nucleic acids, proteins, viral gene therapy vectors, etc.) to treat nervous system disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee joint is one of the strongest ligaments of the body and is often the target of traumatic injuries. Unfortunately, its healing potential is limited, and the surgical options for its replacement are frequently associated with clinical issues. A bioengineered ACL (bACL) was developed using a collagen matrix, seeded with autologous cells and successfully grafted and integrated into goat knee joints.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOBJECTIVE To develop a method to maintain the initial phenotype of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells isolated from equine endobronchial biopsy specimens in long-term cell culture. SAMPLE Endobronchial tissue specimens (8 to 10/horse) collected from the lungs of previously healthy horses at necropsy (n = 12) and endobronchial biopsy specimens collected from standing, sedated, heaves-affected horses in clinical remission of the disease (5) and control horses (4). PROCEDURES A sampling protocol was developed to recover and maintain a contractile phenotype in ASM cells from endobronchial specimens from freshly harvested equine lungs and from healthy and heaves-affected horses.
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