Main challenges of stem cell research represent a derivation of the maximum information about the biology of stem cells and production of technical protocols for their directed differentiation into safe and functional replacement of cells or tissues. For this purpose, it is critical that in vitro cultured cells remain stable after transplantation, that is, they will not revert into less differentiated, possibly cancerous cells, and that their specific functions are maintained. Before beginning therapeutic applications to humans, it is essential to examine the safety and efficacy of stem cell-based therapies by transplantation studies in suitable experimental, clinically relevant models. Because of this, it is time now to study stem cell derived from biomedical model animals, miniature pigs in the case of our Laboratory, in order to gain important information about stem cell characteristics that will facilitate the process of deriving cells suitable for transplantation.
The principal goal of our team is to gain a complete characteristic of the pig somatic stem cells to secure their effective propagation under in vitro conditions and to allow to develop effective protocols for their differentiation. The optimal biomedical model of miniature pig will be used for their subsequent auto- and allo-transplantation. Only this approach will secure the safe use of stem cells in human medicine.

The similarities between numerous physiological functions of pigs and humans have stimulated a wide range of biomedical research. In order to simplify husbandry of pigs used in experimental work, several miniature strains have been bred. Miniature pigs bred at our Institute, either in outbred or inbred version, represent an optimal model for preclinical experimentation with epidermal, neural and mesenchymal stem cells. Neural stem cell studies are motivated by an urgent need for a suitable model of spinal cord injury. Recently our experimental effort is focused to neural stem cell proteom. We have discovered specific changes during in vitro differentiation of these cells. Our experience in the field of neural stem cells allows our team to participate in the international team that has to develop the pig model of Huntington disease. The pig mesenchymal stem cells, isolated from bone marrow, are multiplied in vitro and directed to chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation. These processes are followed at mRNA level (qPCR) and protein level (flow cytometry, immunocytometry). Their differentiation is realized upon synthetic gels that are concomitantly used for transplantation on the damaged growth and article cartilage. Experience gained with epidermal stem cells has been used in wound healing studies, again using qPCR, FACS analysis and immunocytochemistry. Concomitantly, epidermal cells are used as a model for separation of stem cells using elutriation method, counter-flow separation of cells according their diameter.
The pig stem cell area is new and also the team of our Laboratory is young. But the topic has recently a substantial grant support that will allow to build step by step the experimental team and to give an occasion for professional growth of young researchers.