An update on characterisation and applications of mesenchymal stem cells from chickens with challenges and prospective review

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors that express markers such as CD73, CD44, CD29, CD90, and CD105. MSCs produce growth factors and cytokines, which are crucial in regulating haematopoiesis and supporting it. The ability of MSCs to differentiate into osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes is one of their unique characteristics. MSCs can be used in research to better understand bone mineralisation during osteogenesis, the pathogenic potential of infectious bursal disease viruses, and the interactions between MSCs. An appropriate stem cell model is MSCs, as they have several advantages, including their availability, proliferation, and immune-modulatory properties. The benefit of using MSCs beyond immunomodulatory cell therapy is that they allow for coculture with pathogenic organisms that cause chicken dermatitis disorders, and the ability to eliminate antibiotic growth promoters. This review summarises the current knowledge about the general characterisation of MSCs and their application in chickens as model organisms.