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Cats, stem cells and oral disease
Can research for cats with severe oral disease also help humans with a similar condition?
Beginning in 2014, Winn Feline Foundation began funding scientific investigation into stem cell therapy use in cats for chronic gingivostomatitis (FGCS) at University of California-Davis. This painful condition is a disease that inflames the oral cavity of cats and frequently results in the extraction of most or all of the teeth to reduce the inflammation.
Dr. Boaz Arzi, Dr. Dori Borjesson and colleagues at the University's College of Veterinary Medicine targeted this specific disease because of its chronic inflammatory nature. Stem cell therapy can modulate the immune system. Their approach is to strengthen the immune system and make it work more appropriately.
Their work has been impressive where most of the cats treated with stem cells have demonstrated a significant and long-lasting response. Researchers in the human medical field and the National Institute of Health (NIH) have taken notice and plan to explore this therapy for humans with severe gum disease. View their recent publication.
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