Canine bone marrow peri-adipocyte cells could therapeutically benefit acute spinal cord injury through migration and secretion of hepatocyte growth factor to inflammatory milieu.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common neurological disorder in dogs. A secondary injury that occurs in the acute phase causes expansion of inflammation, resulting in lesion extension and further loss of function. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have trophic effects and the ability to migrate toward injured tissues; therefore, MSC-based therapy is considered promising for the treatment of canine SCI.