Ongoing Research

Regenerative Medicine Modalities

Subconjunctival Poly I:C MSC Therapy

Our laboratory conducted a pilot safety trial to investigate the safe use and migration of subconjunctival injected toll-like receptor ligand poly I:C (pIC)-activated mesenchymal stem cell therapy as an effective treatment method for equine recurrent uveitis (ERU).1 This study used fluorescently labelled MSCs to evaluate the duration the MSCs remain at the injection site and evaluated the effects of pIC-activated MSCs on the periocular environment. This method of MSC treatment delivery could be further investigated in clinical trials for ERU as well as other ocular conditions.

Close-up photograph of a dark animal eye with pink inner eyelid and gray fur
False-color photograph of a circular opening with glowing red-orange center

Improving Mitochondrial Fitness

Mitochondria (MT) play a crucial role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. MT injury is deleterious and is involved in the pathogenesis of multiple disorders including cancer and chronic inflammatory diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). 

Transmission electron micrograph of clustered rod and round bacteria-like particles; 500 nm scale

Mitotherapy, as a therapeutic approach for synovitis and OA, is comprehensive and focused on cell metabolism rather than focused on a single signaling pathway. We postulate that MT replacement for augmentation of MT damage may become a novel and effective therapeutic intervention. In cells, MT dynamics is orchestrated by the processes of fusion, fission and mitophagy. We believe that exogenous MT will “repair” recipient cells residing in the joint cavity through fusion with host MT. Previously we evaluated whether a mitochondria preparation was safe to be injected into a horse’s joint,2 and then whether this preparation was able to ameliorate the inflammatory effect of a synovitis model.3  While this preparation was unable to document an improvement on the cytology or cytokine level, we continue to optimize our investigation into mitochondria delivery to improve inflammatory processes. 

Another potential source for mitochondria donation, is mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).  Mitochondrial transfer is a potential underlying mechanism for how MSCs modulate the immune system, as mitochondrial exhaustion of lymphocytes is common in many chronic conditions.  Currently, we are working to evaluate MSCs ability to improve lymphocytes mitochondrial respiration improvement with an in-vitro assay and document mitochondrial transfer with flow cytometry and fluorescent microscopy. 

Non-coding RNA markers and treatment targets for osteoarthritis

We are interested in utilizing non-coding RNA (ncRNA) as potential early biomarkers for Osteoarthritis (OA) to identify changes associated with the onset and progression of OA. NcRNAs are RNAs that do not code for proteins but instead are involved in gene regulation and other cellular processes. While ncRNA research is an emerging field  in human medicine, its application in veterinary medicine is also gaining attention to better understand disease mechanisms, as well as to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Dr. Elham Khaliji, who is pursuing a PhD in the Cassano laboratory, recently completed a systematic review of ncRNA studies in equine OA4 and is currently analyzing data on ncRNAs present in synovial fluid from an LPS-induced synovitis model to evaluate their potential as early biomarkers for OA diagnosis and to better understand their roles in joint inflammation and OA progression. 

Young woman with glasses brushing a dark horse wearing a blue halter under a stable canopy

Improving Equine Field Practice

Answering clinical questions to improve the practice of equine field medicine is another aspect of the Cassano Laboratory. 

Previously, we have looked at protocols to improve standing sedation in horses for dental procedures 5, a project completed by Dr. Amber Best an intern and now large animal surgery resident working in the Cassano laboratory. Currently, Dr. Best is completing a project comparing an injection of Pro-Stride®, a commercial autologous regenerative medicine product to steroid injection in naturally occurring coffin joint OA.  This project represents an intersection of the laboratory’s interest in regenerative medicine and improving equine field practice. 

We are currently validating the diagnostic performance of two lateral flow assays to detect anti-Coccidioides antibodies in equine serum. Under field conditions, these will allow for faster and earlier diagnosis of Valley Fever in Horses and support timely clinical decision-making.  Dr. Ernesto Rojas-Sanchez is a PhD student in the Graduate Group in Epidemiology collaborating on this project and has presented promising preliminary results of this work at the ACVIM forum and AAEP annual conference.  

Foam rack holding clear reagent tubes with orange caps and pipettes, yellow label.
Row of seven rapid antigen lateral flow test cassettes on white background (photograph)
Young woman smiling beside a chestnut horse in a sunlit paddock, second horse behind

 Equine Access to Care

We have completed an Equine Access to Care survey in California to try to identify gaps in care and find new solutions for clients and practitioners.

Dr. Maria Isabel Calero is an intern and now large animal medicine resident, who is currently reviewing the California data and creating a national access to equine veterinary care survey. 

Preventative Medicine in Horses

Identifying horses at risk of laminitis and prevention strategies is another area of interest in the Cassano Laboratory. We have been collaborating with the UC Davis Horse Barn Animal Science program to collect samples from mares during breeding management and early pregnancy to better understand hormone fluctuations and laminitis risk.


We are concurrently validating a point-of-care platform to quantify insulin and adrenocorticotropic hormone in equine plasma to improve equine field practice. Sarah Hackney is a veterinary student at UC Davis who is leading the project after participating in the Students Training in Advanced Research (STAR) program.   

Woman in blue scrubs and gloves pipetting at lab bench, focused, photo

References

  1. Cassano JM, Leonard BC, Martins BC, et al. Preliminary evaluation of safety and migration of immune activated mesenchymal stromal cells administered by subconjunctival injection for equine recurrent uveitis. Front Vet Sci. 2023;10:1293199. doi:10.3389/fvets.2023.1293199
     
  2. Cassano JM, Marycz K, Horna M, et al. Evaluating the Safety of Intra-Articular Mitotherapy in the Equine Model: A Potential Novel Treatment for Osteoarthritis. J Equine Vet Sci. 2023;120:104164. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2022.104164
     
  3. Khaliji E, Marycz K, Horna M, et al. Platelet-derived mitochondrial preparation did not alter early inflammatory markers in a bilateral lipopolysaccharide-induced model of equine synovitis. Am J Vet Res. 2025;86(11). doi:10.2460/ajvr.25.05.0187
     
  4. Khaliji E, Wong TS, Barker CM, Chen S, Cassano JM. Non-coding RNA profiles associated with equine osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Front Vet Sci. 2026;13. doi:10.3389/fvets.2026.1917722
     
  5. Best ATK, Morgan JM, Burgy CLD, Flynn H, Barter LS, Cassano JM. A blinded crossover study design to evaluate midazolam as an adjunct for equine standing sedation for routine oral examinations. J Equine Vet Sci. 2024;143:105201. doi:10.1016/j.jevs.2024.105201