The Korean Journal of Internal Medicine (Mar 2022)

Alleviation of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by exosomes from induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells

  • Sun Woo Lim,
  • Kyung Woon Kim,
  • Bo Mi Kim,
  • Yoo Jin Shin,
  • Kang Luo,
  • Yi Quan,
  • Sheng Cui,
  • Eun Jeong Ko,
  • Byung Ha Chung,
  • Chul Woo Yang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3904/kjim.2020.438
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 37, no. 2
pp. 411 – 424

Abstract

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Background/Aims Renal ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) is a leading cause of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is closely associated with high morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) exert powerful therapeutic effects in renal ischemia. However, the efficacy of iMSC-derived exosomes (iExo) on I/R injuries remains largely unknown. Methods Human iPSCs were differentiated into iMSCs using a modified one-step method. Ultrafiltration, combined with purification, was used to isolate iExo from iMSCs. iExo was administered following I/R injury in a mouse model. The effect of iExo on I/R injury was assessed through changes in renal function, histology, and expression of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis markers. Further, we evaluated its association with the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 signaling pathway. Results Mice subjected to I/R injury exhibited typical AKI patterns; serum creatinine level, tubular necrosis, apoptosis, inflammatory cytokine production, and oxidative stress were markedly increased compared to sham mice. However, treatment with iExo attenuated these changes, significantly improving renal function and tissue damage, similar to the renoprotective effects of iMSCs on I/R injury. Significant induction of activated ERK 1/2 signaling molecules was observed in mice treated with iExo compared to those in the I/R injury group. Conclusions The present study demonstrates that iExo administration ameliorated renal damage following I/R, suggesting that iMSC-derived exosomes may provide a novel therapeutic approach for AKI treatment.

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