Extracellular vesicles from pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells acquire a stromal modulatory proteomic pattern during differentiation

Abstract

Stem cells: Proteins in secreted vesicles offer potential therapy Tiny protein-containing vesicles released by partially differentiated stem cells contain a suite of therapeutic proteins that make them a promising alternative to cell-based treatments. Carlos Luzzani from LIAN-CONICET in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and colleagues reprogrammed skin cells to an embryonic-like state, and then coaxed these induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to form mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), a type of adult stem cell that can give rise to bone, muscle and other tissues. The researchers analyzed all the proteins produced by the iPSCs, MSCs and the sub-micron sized bubbles known as extracellular vesicles that each secretes. They found that vesicles from MSCs, but not iPSCs, included a small set of proteins involved in regeneration and immune modulation. These vesicles may provide the regenerative benefits of MSCs without the safety risks of a cell-based therapy.