Extracellular vesicles show promise in the treatment of perinatal lung and brain injuries

Researchers at the Hudson Institute have unlocked the secrets of a treatment that promises the benefits of stem cells but none of the downsides, offering the potential to reduce the lifelong effects of perinatal lung and brain injuries. The findings were published in the journal Translational stem cell medicine.

Her research aims to help premature babies who are at increased risk of developing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) or cerebral palsy (CP).

Dr. Ishmael Inocencio led a comprehensive review of the research on extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) and found that they exhibit properties that give them therapeutic advantages over traditional cell-based therapies.

Potential new treatment for perinatal lung and brain injuries

“There is ample evidence that both hAECs and hAEC-EVs have the ability to treat perinatal cerebral and pulmonary injuries due to their anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties,” said Dr. Inocencio.

“Whole cell therapy has shown significant therapeutic potential in the context of perinatal brain and lung injury. However, EVs are a biological therapeutic that can be more easily scaled and distributed. There is also evidence that EVs may offer a better safety profile compared to whole cells.”

“Research is still ongoing, but EV could potentially be the next frontier in biologic therapy.”

“After reviewing all of the available literature, we believe that further research into the therapeutic mechanisms and regulatory framework of EVs is needed to avoid the pitfalls of some previous biologic therapies and improve translation to the clinic.”

There is an urgent need for better treatment options in this area of ​​medicine: the economic impact of preterm birth and subsequent lifelong illnesses in the first 18 years of life is approximately $1.4 billion.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and cerebral palsy (CP) are lifelong conditions that occur significantly more frequently the earlier a baby is born.

Dr. Inocencio said there is currently no direct therapy for these diseases, so his research suggests that hAEC-EVs have the potential to become a novel therapy.

“If we can achieve the benefits of hAECs using EVs as a therapeutic, it could represent a quantum leap in our ability to prevent, or at least minimize, these life-changing perinatal lung and brain injuries,” he said.

What are extracellular vesicles?

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-bound particles released by almost all cell types. They play a crucial role in intercellular communication by transporting proteins, lipids and nucleic acids between cells.

Depending on the cell of origin, electric vehicles can play a role in:

• Cell communication: Electric vehicles facilitate communication between cells by transferring bioactive molecules that can influence the behavior of the recipient cells.
• Immune response: B-bioactive molecules may contain anti-inflammatory substances from parent cells. These can modulate the immune response and thus potentially reduce a pro-inflammatory environment.
• Therapeutic potential: Electric vehicles are being investigated for their potential to deliver therapeutic agents to damaged cells or tissues.