Cryopreservation does not affect the stem characteristics of multipotent cells isolated from equine peripheral blood

Mammalian adult stem cells show, in vitro, extensive differentiative ability and may represent a versatile tool for tissue regenerative purposes, even after long-term storage. Multipotent stem cells isolated from horse blood have been shown to possess the capacity to differentiate into diverse mesenchymal lineages although their full characterization is still at an early stage. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of cryopreservation on stemness characteristics of adult equine mesenchymal stem cells isolated from peripheral blood (ePB-MSC). Each sample of ePB-MSC was analyzed immediately and then after being frozen in liquid nitrogen for 10-12 months. After cryopreservation, cells conserved their morphology, alkaline phosphatase positivity, telomerase activity, karyotype profile, proliferation rate, and CD expression pattern. We characterized ePB-MSC as cells expressing CD44, CD90, CD117, and CD13, but not CD34 and CD45. Finally, freezing and storing ePB-MSC did not change their adipogenic, osteogenic, and myogenic differentiative potential, as analyzed by histochemistry, immunofluorescence, and polymerase chain reaction expression analyses. Overall, our results demonstrate that cryopreservation of ePB-MSC provides a convenient tool for in vitro applications, because cryopreserved cells possess the same stem characteristics as freshly isolated cells. Moreover, the feasibility of maintaining stem cell features of ePB-MSC after long-term storage has important implications for autologous cellular-based therapy in veterinary medicine.