Characterization and therapeutic applications of extracellular vesicles derived from biological sources.
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (30-150 nm in diameter) secreted by virtually all cell types. They serve as critical mediators of intercellular communication, transporting proteins, lipids, mRNA, miRNA, and other bioactive molecules between cells. Derived from the endosomal pathway, exosomes represent a distinct population of vesicles with unique biogenesis mechanisms and functional properties.
Exosomes derived from menstrual blood stem cells offer several advantages: they retain the regenerative properties of their parent cells, can be collected non-invasively, and show promise for cell-free therapeutic applications that avoid the risks associated with live cell transplantation.
| Property | MenSC Exosomes | Other MSC Exosomes |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 50-120 nm | 30-150 nm |
| Concentration (per mL conditioned media) | 1-5 × 10⁹ particles | 0.5-3 × 10⁹ particles |
| CD63 Expression | High (+++) | Variable (+ to +++) |
| Pro-angiogenic Factors | High enrichment | Moderate |
MenSC-derived exosomes contain a rich payload of bioactive molecules that mediate their therapeutic effects:
Promote angiogenesis, reduce fibrosis, and improve cardiac function post-myocardial infarction through pro-survival signaling.
Cross blood-brain barrier to deliver neuroprotective factors, reduce inflammation, and promote neural regeneration.
Modulate immune responses in autoimmune diseases, graft-versus-host disease, and inflammatory conditions.
Accelerate tissue repair through promotion of cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis in chronic wounds.
Our laboratory employs multiple exosome isolation techniques, each with distinct advantages:
| Method | Principle | Purity | Yield | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultracentrifugation | Density/size-based separation | High | Moderate | 4-6 hours |
| Size Exclusion Chromatography | Size-based fractionation | High | High | 1-2 hours |
| Polymer Precipitation | Hydrophobic interaction | Moderate | High | 30 minutes |
| Immunoaffinity Capture | Antibody-based selection | Very High | Low | 2-4 hours |
Investigating heterogeneity within MenSC-derived exosome populations using single-vesicle analysis techniques. Identifying subpopulations with distinct cargo and functional properties.
Status: Data analysis | Expected publication: Q3 2026
Developing methods to load therapeutic cargo (siRNA, small molecules) into MenSC exosomes and engineer surface targeting ligands for tissue-specific delivery.
Status: Protocol optimization | Expected milestone: In vivo validation Q4 2026
Identifying unique miRNA and protein signatures in MenSC exosomes that correlate with donor characteristics and functional potency.
Status: Sample collection | Expected completion: Q2 2027