The Consistency Code: Evaluating Protein & Cytokine Uniformity in Equine UC Allografts

This summary highlights the lot-to-lot consistency of a cryopreserved equine umbilical cord (UC) allograft — equicenta® CTM — as demonstrated through proteomic and cytokine analyses across multiple donors and batches. These results were first published in Bertone AL et al. “Cryopreserved equine umbilical cord tissue allograft characterization and biocompatibility in vivo in musculoskeletal tissues: a controlled study.” BMC Medicine, 2025.¹

Table 1 — Umbilical cord allograft suspension mediator content as determined by ELISA. N=3; samples run in triplicate.

STUDY OVERVIEW

Objective & methods

Objective

To evaluate the consistency of protein content and cytokine profile in cryopreserved UC allograft.

Methods

Mass spectrometry (MS) and ELISA were used to assess protein abundance and cytokine levels in samples from 11 donors.

RESULTS

Proteomic consistency across donors and batches

A total of +2,600 proteins were identified. Of these, 80 proteins exhibited high abundance (TSC ≥ 100), and 224 proteins showed moderate abundance (TSC ≥ 40), with a coefficient of variation (CV) of 16.1%.
Proteins with TSC ≥ 40 were consistently present and functionally relevant (e.g., collagens, glycoproteins).
Triplicate samples from a single donor showed <5% coefficient of variation in abundance proteins, indicating high batch consistency.
Functions included structural support, antioxidant protection, and regulation of inflammation.

ELISA cytokine consistency

Cytokine levels (e.g., IL-1ra, IL-10, VEGF) were measured in UC suspension.
Inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1, IL-2, IL-4) were low or near detection limits.
Anti-inflammatory markers (IL-1ra, IL-10) and growth factors (VEGF, HA) were consistently present.
Low variability across triplicates confirmed reproducibility.

CONCLUSION

What the consistency data tells us

The cryopreserved UC allograft demonstrated a highly consistent protein and cytokine profile across donors and batches. These findings support its reliability and reproducibility as a biologic scaffold for musculoskeletal applications.

Reference

¹ Bertone, AL et al. “Cryopreserved equine umbilical cord tissue allograft characterization and biocompatibility in vivo in musculoskeletal tissues: a controlled study.” BMC Medicine, 2025.

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