Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Elicit Better Preservation of the Intra-Renal Microvasculature Than Renal Revascularization in Pigs with Renovascular Disease

Background: Percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA) confers clinical and mortality benefits in select ‘high-risk’ patients with renovascular disease (RVD). Intra-renal-delivered extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) protect the kidney in experimental RVD, but have not been compared side-by-side to clinically applied interventions, such as PTRA. We hypothesized that MSC-derived EVs can comparably protect the post-stenotic kidney via direct tissue effects. Methods: Five groups of pigs (n = 6 each) were studied after 16 weeks of RVD, RVD treated 4 weeks earlier with either PTRA or MSC-derived EVs, and normal controls. Single-kidney renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were assessed in vivo with multi-detector CT, and renal microvascular architecture (3D micro CT) and injury pathways ex vivo. Results: Despite sustained hypertension, EVs conferred greater improvement of intra-renal microvascular and peritubular capillary density compared to PTRA, associated with attenuation of renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and tubulo-interstitial fibrosis. Nevertheless, stenotic kidney RBF and GFR similarly rose in both PTRA- and EV-treated pigs compared RVD + Sham. mRNA sequencing reveled that EVs were enriched with pro-angiogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidants genes. Conclusion: MSC-derived EVs elicit a better preservation of the stenotic kidney microvasculature and greater attenuation of renal injury and fibrosis compared to PTRA, possibly partly attributed to their cargo of vasculo-protective genes. Yet, both strategies similarly improve renal hemodynamics and function. These observations shed light on diverse mechanisms implicated in improvement of post-stenotic kidney function and position EVs as a promising therapeutic intervention in RVD.

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Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Improve the Renal Microvasculature in Metabolic Renovascular Disease in Swine

Cell Transplantation ◽

10.1177/0963689718780942 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (7) ◽

pp. 1080-1095 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

Alfonso Eirin ◽

Xiang-Yang Zhu ◽

Sreela Jonnada ◽

Amir Lerman ◽

Andre J. van Wijnen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Therapeutic Potential ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Capillary Density ◽

Swine Model ◽

Renovascular Disease ◽

And Function ◽

Angiogenic Genes ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) mediate their paracrine effect, but their efficacy to protect the microcirculation of the kidney is unknown. Using a novel swine model of unilateral renovascular disease (RVD) complicated by metabolic syndrome (MetS), we tested the hypothesis that EVs would attenuate renal microvascular loss. Methods: Four groups of pigs ( n = 7 each) were studied after 16 weeks of diet-induced MetS and RVD (MetS+RVD), MetS+RVD treated 4 weeks earlier with a single intra-renal delivery of EVs harvested from autologous adipose tissue-derived MSCs, and Lean and MetS Sham controls. Stenotic-kidney renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were measured in-vivo (fast CT), whereas EV characteristics, renal microvascular architecture (micro-CT), and injury pathways were studied ex-vivo. Results: mRNA sequencing and proteomic analysis revealed that EVs are packed with several pro-angiogenic genes and proteins, such as vascular endothelial growth factor. Labeled EVs were detected in the stenotic kidney 4 weeks after injection internalized by tubular and endothelial cells. EVs restored renal expression of angiogenic factors and improved cortical microvascular and peritubular capillary density. Renal apoptosis, oxidative stress, tubular injury, and fibrosis were also attenuated in EV-treated pigs. RBF and GFR decreased in MetS+RVD compared with MetS, but normalized in MetS+RVD+EVs. Conclusions: Intra-renal delivery of MSC-derived EVs bearing pro-angiogenic properties restored the renal microcirculation and in turn hemodynamics and function in chronic experimental MetS+RVD. Our study suggests a novel therapeutic potential for MSC-derived EVs in restoring renal hemodynamics in experimental MetS+RVD.

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Metabolic Syndrome Alters the Cargo of Mitochondria-Related microRNAs in Swine Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles, Impairing Their Capacity to Repair the Stenotic Kidney

Stem Cells International ◽

10.1155/2020/8845635 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2020 ◽

pp. 1-15

Author(s):

Rahele A. Farahani ◽

Xiang-Yang Zhu ◽

Hui Tang ◽

Kyra L. Jordan ◽

Amir Lerman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Multidetector Ct ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Mitochondrial Genes ◽

Microrna Sequencing ◽

Kidney Blood Flow ◽

Renal Tubular ◽

And Function

Background. Coexisting metabolic syndrome (MetS) and renal artery stenosis (RAS) are linked to poor renal outcomes. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell- (MSC-) derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) from lean animals show superior ability to repair the experimental MetS+RAS kidney compared to EVs from MetS pig MSCs. We hypothesized that MetS leads to selective packaging in porcine EVs of microRNAs capable of targeting mitochondrial genes, interfering with their capacity to repair the MetS+RAS kidney. Methods. Five groups of pigs ( n = 7 each) were studied after 16 weeks of diet-induced MetS and RAS (MetS+RAS) and MetS+RAS 4 weeks after a single intrarenal delivery of EVs harvested from allogeneic adipose tissue-derived MSCs isolated from Lean or MetS pigs, and Lean or MetS sham controls. Single-kidney blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were assessed in vivo with multidetector CT, whereas EV microRNA cargo, renal tubular mitochondrial structure and bioenergetics, and renal injury pathways were assessed ex vivo. Results. microRNA sequencing revealed 19 dysregulated microRNAs capable of targeting several mitochondrial genes in MetS-EVs versus Lean-EVs. Lean- and MetS-EVs were detected in the stenotic kidney 4 weeks after administration. However, only MetS-EVs failed to improve renal mitochondrial density, structure, and function or attenuate oxidative stress, tubular injury, and fibrosis. Furthermore, Lean-EVs but not MetS-EVs restored RBF and GFR in MetS+RAS. Conclusion. MetS alters the cargo of mitochondria-related microRNAs in swine MSC-derived EVs, which might impair their capacity to repair the poststenotic kidney in MetS+RAS. These observations may contribute to develop approaches to improve the efficacy of MSC-EVs for patients with MetS.

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Renovascular Disease Induces Senescence in Renal Scattered Tubular-Like Cells and Impairs Their reparative Potency

Hypertension ◽

10.1161/hypertensionaha.120.16218 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Xiao-Jun Chen ◽

Seo Rin Kim ◽

Kai Jiang ◽

Christopher M. Ferguson ◽

Hui Tang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gene Expression ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Capillary Density ◽

Renal Perfusion ◽

Self Healing ◽

Tubulointerstitial Injury ◽

Renovascular Disease ◽

Inflammatory Gene Expression ◽

Renal Tubular

Scattered tubular-like cells (STCs), dedifferentiated renal tubular epithelial cells, contribute to renal self-healing, but severe injury might blunt their effectiveness. We hypothesized that ischemic renovascular disease (RVD) induces senescence in STC and impairs their reparative potency. CD24+/CD133+ STCs were isolated from swine kidneys after 16 weeks of RVD or healthy controls. To test their reparative capabilities in injured kidneys, control or RVD-STC (5×10 5 ) were prelabeled and injected into the aorta of 2 kidneys, 1-clip (2k,1c) mice 2 weeks after surgery. Murine renal function and oxygenation were studied in vivo 2 weeks after injection using micro-magnetic resonance imaging, and fibrosis, tubulointerstitial injury, capillary density, and expression of profibrotic and inflammatory genes ex vivo. STC isolated from swine RVD kidneys showed increased gene expression of senescence and senescence-associated secretory phenotype markers and positive SA-β-gal staining. Delivery of normal pig STCs in 2k,1c mice improved murine renal perfusion, blood flow, and glomerular filtration rate, and downregulated profibrotic and inflammatory gene expression. These renoprotective effects were blunted using STC harvested from RVD kidneys, which also failed to attenuate hypoxia, fibrosis, tubular injury, and capillary loss in injured mouse 2k,1c kidneys. Hence, RVD may induce senescence in endogenous STC and impair their reparative capacity. These observations implicate cellular senescence in the pathophysiology of ischemic kidney disease and support senolytic therapy to permit self-healing of senescent kidneys.

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Comparison of acute and chronic antioxidant interventions in experimental renovascular disease

AJP Renal Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajprenal.00385.2003 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 286 (6) ◽

pp. F1079-F1086 ◽

Cited By ~ 66

Author(s):

Alejandro R. Chade ◽

James D. Krier ◽

Martin Rodriguez-Porcel ◽

Jerome F. Breen ◽

Michael A. McKusick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Nitric Oxide ◽

Tissue Injury ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Renal Tissue ◽

Renal Hemodynamics ◽

Tissue Growth ◽

Renovascular Disease ◽

And Function

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can modulate renal hemodynamics and function both directly, by leading to vasoconstriction, and indirectly, by inducing renal inflammation and tissue growth. The involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of renovascular disease (RVD) is increasingly recognized, but the relative contribution of long-term tissue injury to renal dysfunction remains unclear. We hypothesized that functional and structural alterations elicited by oxidative stress in RVD would be more effectively modulated by chronic than by acute antioxidant intervention. Renal hemodynamics and function were quantified in vivo in pigs using electron-beam computed tomography at baseline and after vasoactive challenge (ACh and sodium nitroprusside); after 12 wk of RVD (simulated by concurrent hypercholesterolemia and renal artery stenosis, n = 7); RVD acutely infused with the SOD-mimetic tempol (RVD+tempol, n = 7); RVD chronically supplemented with antioxidant vitamins C (1 g) and E (100 IU/kg; RVD+vitamins, n = 7); or control (normal, n = 7). Renal tissue was studied ex vivo using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Basal renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate were similarly decreased in all RVD groups. ACh-stimulated RBF remained unchanged in RVD, increased in RVD+tempol, but further increased (similarly to normal) in RVD+vitamins ( P < 0.05 vs. RVD). Furthermore, RVD+vitamins also showed a decreased presence of superoxide anion, decreased NAD(P)H-oxidase and nitrotyrosine expression, increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression, and attenuated renal fibrosis. Chronic antioxidant intervention in early RVD improved renal hemodynamic responses more effectively than acute intervention, likely due to increased nitric oxide bioavailability and decreased structural injury. These suggest that chronic tissue changes play an important role in renal compromise mediated by oxidative stress in RVD.

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Extracellular vesicles as mediators and markers of acute organ injury: current concepts

European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery ◽

10.1007/s00068-021-01607-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Birte Weber ◽

Niklas Franz ◽

Ingo Marzi ◽

Dirk Henrich ◽

Liudmila Leppik

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Inflammatory Diseases ◽

Organ Injury ◽

Isolation And Characterization ◽

Communication Processes ◽

Incidence And Mortality ◽

New Biomarkers ◽

And Function

AbstractDue to the continued high incidence and mortality rate worldwide, there is a need to develop new strategies for the quick, precise, and valuable recognition of presenting injury pattern in traumatized and poly-traumatized patients. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been shown to facilitate intercellular communication processes between cells in close proximity as well as distant cells in healthy and disease organisms. miRNAs and proteins transferred by EVs play biological roles in maintaining normal organ structure and function under physiological conditions. In pathological conditions, EVs change the miRNAs and protein cargo composition, mediating or suppressing the injury consequences. Therefore, incorporating EVs with their unique protein and miRNAs signature into the list of promising new biomarkers is a logical next step. In this review, we discuss the general characteristics and technical aspects of EVs isolation and characterization. We discuss results of recent in vitro, in vivo, and patients study describing the role of EVs in different inflammatory diseases and traumatic organ injuries. miRNAs and protein signature of EVs found in patients with acute organ injury are also debated.

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Protective Response in Experimental Paracoccidioidomycosis Elicited by Extracellular Vesicles Containing Antigens of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10071813 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (7) ◽

pp. 1813

Author(s):

Ludmila Matos Baltazar ◽

Gabriela Fior Ribeiro ◽

Gustavo J. Freitas ◽

Celso Martins Queiroz-Junior ◽

Caio Tavares Fagundes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Treatment Effectiveness ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Paracoccidioides Brasiliensis ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Host Immune System ◽

Antigen Delivery ◽

Activated T Lymphocytes ◽

Cell Mobilization

Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM) is a systemic disease caused by Paracoccidioides spp. PCM is endemic in Latin America and most cases are registered in Brazil. This mycosis affects mainly the lungs, but can also spread to other tissues and organs, including the liver. Several approaches have been investigated to improve treatment effectiveness and protection against the disease. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are good antigen delivery vehicles. The present work aims to investigate the use of EVs derived from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis as an immunization tool in a murine model of PCM. For this, male C57BL/6 were immunized with two doses of EVs plus adjuvant and then infected with P. brasiliensis. EV immunization induced IgM and IgG in vivo and cytokine production by splenocytes ex vivo. Further, immunization with EVs had a positive effect on mice infected with P. brasiliensis, as it induced activated T lymphocytes and NKT cell mobilization to the infected lungs, improved production of proinflammatory cytokines and the histopathological profile, and reduced fungal burden. Therefore, the present study shows a new role for P. brasiliensis EVs in the presence of adjuvant as modulators of the host immune system, suggesting their utility as immunizing agents.

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Uptake and Distribution of Administered Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles in Retina

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells10040730 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (4) ◽

pp. 730

Author(s):

Biji Mathew ◽

Leianne A. Torres ◽

Lorea Gamboa Gamboa Acha ◽

Sophie Tran ◽

Alice Liu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Time Course ◽

Ganglion Cells ◽

Ex Vivo ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Paracrine Effects

Cell replacement therapy using mesenchymal (MSC) and other stem cells has been evaluated for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. This approach has significant limitations, including few cells integrated, aberrant growth, and surgical complications. Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes/Extracellular Vesicles (MSC EVs), which include exosomes and microvesicles, are an emerging alternative, promoting immunomodulation, repair, and regeneration by mediating MSC’s paracrine effects. For the clinical translation of EV therapy, it is important to determine the cellular destination and time course of EV uptake in the retina following administration. Here, we tested the cellular fate of EVs using in vivo rat retinas, ex vivo retinal explant, and primary retinal cells. Intravitreally administered fluorescent EVs were rapidly cleared from the vitreous. Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) had maximal EV fluorescence at 14 days post administration, and microglia at 7 days. Both in vivo and in the explant model, most EVs were no deeper than the inner nuclear layer. Retinal astrocytes, microglia, and mixed neurons in vitro endocytosed EVs in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, our results indicate that intravitreal EVs are suited for the treatment of retinal diseases affecting the inner retina. Modification of the EV surface should be considered for maintaining EVs in the vitreous for prolonged delivery.

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Alcohol-and-HIV-Induced Lysosomal Dysfunction Regulates Extracellular Vesicles Secretion in Vitro and in Liver-Humanized Mice

Biology ◽

10.3390/biology10010029 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 29

Author(s):

Raghubendra Singh Dagur ◽

Moses New-Aaron ◽

Murali Ganesan ◽

Weimin Wang ◽

Svetlana Romanova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Extracellular Vesicles ◽

Treated Group ◽

Human Hepatocytes ◽

In Vivo Studies ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Humanized Mouse Model ◽

And Function

Background: Alcohol abuse is common in people living with HIV-1 and dramaticallyenhances the severity of HIV-induced liver damage by inducing oxidative stress and lysosomaldysfunction in the liver cells. We hypothesize that the increased release of extracellular vesicles(EVs) in hepatocytes and liver humanized mouse model is linked to lysosome dysfunction. Methods:The study was performed on primary human hepatocytes and human hepatoma RLWXP-GFP (Huh7.5 cells stably transfected with CYP2E1 and XPack-GFP) cells and validated on ethanol-fed liverhumanizedfumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (Fah)-/-, Rag2-/-, common cytokine receptor gamma chainknockout (FRG-KO) mice. Cells and mice were infected with HIV-1ADA virus. Results: We observedan increase in the secretion of EVs associated with a decrease in lysosomal activity and expressionof lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1. Next-generation RNA sequencing of primary humanhepatocytes revealed 63 differentially expressed genes, with 13 downregulated and 50 upregulatedgenes in the alcohol–HIV-treated group. Upstream regulator analysis of differentially expressedgenes through Ingenuity Pathway Analysis identified transcriptional regulators affecting downstreamgenes associated with increased oxidative stress, lysosomal associated disease, and function andEVs biogenesis. Our in vitro findings were corroborated by in vivo studies on human hepatocytetransplantedhumanized mice, indicating that intensive EVs’ generation by human hepatocytes andtheir secretion to serum was associated with increased oxidative stress and reduction in lysosomalactivities triggered by HIV infection and ethanol diet. Conclusion: HIV-and-ethanol-metabolisminducedEVs release is tightly controlled by lysosome status in hepatocytes and participates in thedevelopment of double-insult-induced liver injury.

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hPSC-Derived Enteric Ganglioids Model Human ENS Development and Function

10.1101/2022.01.04.474746 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Homa Majd ◽

Ryan M Samuel ◽

Jonathan T Ramirez ◽

Ali Kalantari ◽

Kevin Barber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ex Vivo ◽

Xenograft Model ◽

Developmental Relationships ◽

Drug Candidates ◽

Effective Strategies ◽

Wide Range ◽

Functional Features ◽

And Function

The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a central role in gut physiology and mediating the crosstalk between the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and other organs. The human ENS has remained elusive, highlighting the need for an in vitro modeling and mapping blueprint. Here we map out the developmental and functional features of the human ENS, by establishing robust and scalable 2D ENS cultures and 3D enteric ganglioids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs). These models recapitulate the remarkable neuronal and glial diversity found in primary tissue and enable comprehensive molecular analyses that uncover functional and developmental relationships within these lineages. As a salient example of the power of this system, we performed in-depth characterization of enteric nitrergic neurons (NO neurons) which are implicated in a wide range of GI motility disorders. We conducted an unbiased screen and identified drug candidates that modulate the activity of NO neurons and demonstrated their potential in promoting motility in mouse colonic tissue ex vivo. We established a high-throughput strategy to define the developmental programs involved in NO neuron specification and discovered that PDGFR inhibition boosts the induction of NO neurons in enteric ganglioids. Transplantation of these ganglioids in the colon of NO neuron-deficient mice results in extensive tissue engraftment, providing a xenograft model for the study of human ENS in vivo and the development of cell-based therapies for neurodegenerative GI disorders. These studies provide a framework for deciphering fundamental features of the human ENS and designing effective strategies to treat enteric neuropathies.

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Anisotropic Cardiac Conduction

Arrhythmia & Electrophysiology Review ◽

10.15420/aer.2020.04 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 202-210

Author(s):

Irum Kotadia ◽

John Whitaker ◽

Caroline Roney ◽

Steven Niederer ◽

Mark O’Neill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Gap Junction ◽

Cardiac Tissue ◽

Diffusion Tensor ◽

Interstitial Fibrosis ◽

Cardiac Conduction ◽

Principal Mechanism ◽

Disease States ◽

And Function ◽

Anisotropic Conduction

Anisotropy is the property of directional dependence. In cardiac tissue, conduction velocity is anisotropic and its orientation is determined by myocyte direction. Cell shape and size, excitability, myocardial fibrosis, gap junction distribution and function are all considered to contribute to anisotropic conduction. In disease states, anisotropic conduction may be enhanced, and is implicated, in the genesis of pathological arrhythmias. The principal mechanism responsible for enhanced anisotropy in disease remains uncertain. Possible contributors include changes in cellular excitability, changes in gap junction distribution or function and cellular uncoupling through interstitial fibrosis. It has recently been demonstrated that myocyte orientation may be identified using diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging in explanted hearts, and multisite pacing protocols have been proposed to estimate myocyte orientation and anisotropic conduction in vivo. These tools have the potential to contribute to the understanding of the role of myocyte disarray and anisotropic conduction in arrhythmic states.

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