Isolation, culturing, and characterization of cardiac muscle cells from nonhuman primate heart tissue.

Cardiac safety pharmacology requires in vitro testing of all drug candidates before clinical trials in order to ensure they are screened for cardiotoxic effects which may result in severe arrhythmias and, ultimately, cardiomyopathy (Chi, Nat Rev Drug Discov 12:565-567, 2013). Given the physiological similarities between nonhuman primates and humans, isolated primate cardiac muscle cells are an ideal animal model for such in vitro testing. The aims of this chapter are to describe two methods for isolating and culturing primate cardiac muscle cells.

Characterization and differentiation of equine umbilical cord-derived matrix cells.

Stem cells are being evaluated in numerous human clinical trials and are commercially used in veterinary medicine to treat horses and dogs. Stem cell differentiation, homing to disease sites, growth and cytokine factor modulation, and low antigenicity contribute to their therapeutic success. Bone marrow and adipose tissue are the two most common sources of adult-derived stem cells in animals.