Structural Support
Collagen α · Collagens VI/VII/XII · Tubulin · Plectin · Actinin · Tenascin
Published Safety & Characterization Study · Bertone et al., BMC Medicine 2025
A characterized, reproducible protein profile across 11 analyzed donors, not a variable donor-dependent extract.
Evidence at a glance
Bertone AL, Reinemeyer C, Tsaprailis G, Ragland D, Leise B. BMC Medicine 2025;23:439.
A single injection triggered a short, self-limiting local response, most commonly transient post-injection inflammation at the needle site, with no systemic signal.
This controlled biocompatibility study does not establish efficacy. equicenta® CTM is investigational; absolute safety has not been established.
Composition · BMC Medicine 2025 · 11 donors
equicenta® CTM
A representative selection of the high abundance proteins consistently identified in equicenta® CTM.
Discover the Biologic Breakdown: how proteins, cytokines, growth factors, and extracellular matrix components come together within equicenta® CTM.
Read the Biologic BreakdownIllustrative representation of protein classes. Connections shown are schematic.
Tested across 11 donors
The same high-abundance proteins were reproducibly identified donor-to-donor by total spectral count. A low 4.7% within-batch CV in high-abundance proteins supports consistent vial-to-vial composition.
How it works · Characterization · BMC Medicine 2025
Proteomic network representative: high-abundance proteins consistently identified across donors. Proteins per category:
Collagen α · Collagens VI/VII/XII · Tubulin · Plectin · Actinin · Tenascin
Heparan Sulfate · Aggrecan · Decorin · Biglycan · Lumican · Versican · Hyaluronic Acid
Annexin A1 · Thrombospondin · Profilin · Calpain · PRELP · Asporin
α2-Macroglobulin · Annexin (Lipocortin) · Galectin · Clusterin · DDAH2
Superoxide Dismutase · HSP90 · Clusterin
HSP90 · Transgelin · Tubulin · Calpain
Actinin · Tubulin · HSP90
Vinculin · Integrin α3 · Cadherin · TGFBI · Thrombospondin
IGF-2 · VEGF
*On high-abundant proteins
How it works
Three coordinated actions characterized in the response: Builds Tissue, Blocks Breakdown, Calms Inflammation
Growth factors associated with tissue repair and matrix synthesis.
Anti-Catabolic Enzyme inhibitors associated with regulation of matrix-degrading enzyme activity.
Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine profiling showed a regulated balance of inflammatory mediators.
*Data on file, Equine Performance Labs.
Characterization
CD9 / CD81 / CD63, canonical vesicle surface markers.
Cargo marker consistent with true EVs, not cellular debris.
A CD90+ subset, MSC-associated surface marker.
The marker profile supports the presence of extracellular vesicles carrying characterized signaling cargo. Each vial is characterized for a multimodal composition that includes potent growth factors, cytokines, and proteins within a native extracellular-matrix scaffold. Together, these components are intended to support the biological environment associated with the body’s own tissue-repair and regenerative processes.
*Data on file, Equine Performance Labs.
How it works
In vitro, matrix digestion produced progressive release of characterized factors, supporting a protein-reservoir model rather than a single bolus.
Cumulative TIMP-2 release over time in saline, collagenase I, and trypsin conditions.
Schematic is representative of the data
Relative anti-inflammatory, pro-inflammatory, anabolic, and anti-catabolic indices characterized in the released fraction.
equicenta® CTM
Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 Increased after extraction. An anabolic growth factor with known roles in cell proliferation and cartilage matrix synthesis.
Alpha-2 Macroglobulin Increased in the released fraction. A broad protease inhibitor with known roles in regulating proteolytic enzymes (e.g., MMPs, ADAMTS).
Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 2 Released over time as the matrix degrades. Known to inhibit collagen-degrading metalloproteinases (MMPs).
In vitro, matrix digestion produced progressive release of characterized factors including IGF-1, A2M, and TIMP-2. These results support a protein-reservoir model and biological plausibility.
*Data on file, Equine Performance Labs.
Clinical usage · BMC Medicine 2025
How equicenta® CTM was used in the three in vivo studies reported in the paper.
Randomized, masked, crossover study in 8 clinically normal horses. equicenta® CTM was injected into joints and ligaments, with saline as the control.
3 horses with osteoarthritis, desmitis, and tendonitis. A single injection into the affected tissues; 2 horses received multiple injections.
Acute tissue biocompatibility. Clinical, hematologic, synovial fluid, and histologic parameters were evaluated.
Cryopreserved microparticulate suspension made from umbilical cord tissue of 11 single-source equine donors.
Injection into joints, tendons, and ligaments; evaluated for intra-articular and intralesional use.
42 days in the normal horses and 28 days in the case series.
equicenta® CTM is investigational. These details describe how it was used in the published studies and are not instructions for use. Full methods: Bertone AL, et al. BMC Medicine 2025;23:439 (read the BMC paper).
In-vivo biocompatibility · BMC Medicine 2025
In a two-dose, masked, randomized crossover biocompatibility study in 8 clinically normal horses over 42 days, a single injection triggered a short, self-limiting local response, followed by a sustained anti-inflammatory synovial profile, with no systemic signal.
Synovial IL-1ra (pg/mL), Day 0 compared with Day 1, as reported in the study.
Bars drawn to scale from the values reported (P<0.001).
Synovial IL-1ra surged to 15,635 at Day 1 (P<0.001) and remained elevated in 7 of 8 horses the full study, and drove the IL-1ra/IL-1α ratio to 16.4, an anti-inflammatory, pro-repair signature, not lasting inflammation.
Additional ratio data (IL-1ra/IL-1α, percent difference from baseline average) are presented in the published paper.
BMC Medicine 2025
In a parallel case series of 3 horses with osteoarthritis and desmitis/tendonitis (28 days), every horse improved ≥1 grade in lameness/pain. Adverse event reporting is described in the published paper. In these inflamed joints the IL-1ra/IL-1α ratio moved from a pro-inflammatory 0.3 to >4-fold above control, the same conversion seen in healthy joints. IL-10, HA and VEGF also rose; SAA and imaging stayed stable.
This controlled biocompatibility study does not establish efficacy. equicenta® CTM is investigational; absolute safety has not been established.
A characterized product and a favorable biocompatibility profile established the foundation. The next question was “Would the product work?” Would these properties translate into measurable outcomes versus the non-steroidal biologics already used in practice?
References
*Data on file, Equine Performance Labs.
Next
The Frontiers in Veterinary Science study evaluated equicenta® CTM in a controlled clinical trial.