MSC-derived extracellular vesicles show promise in treating high-dose radiation injury

MSC-derived extracellular vesicles show promise in treating high-dose radiation injury

A new study in the peer-reviewed journalStem cells and developmenthighlights the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) as a therapeutic strategy for high-dose radiation injury by promoting hematopoietic recovery and improving survival.

Sicheng Wen of Brown University and co-authors had previously shown that MSC-EVs can reverse bone marrow injury caused by mold or moderate radiation. In the current study, they examined the therapeutic potential of human MSC-EVs in mice exposed to high-dose body irradiation.

Administration of MSC-EV significantly increased survival, and 70% of treated mice survived 120 days after whole body exposure, compared to 0% survival in untreated controls. MSC-EV treatment facilitated substantial peripheral blood development three months after irradiation, with significant increases in red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and hemoglobin levels. Changes in hematopoietic gene expression presented 14 days after irradiation returned to normal levels in MSC-EV-treated mice.

“Well-intentioned efforts by academic and biotech researchers to advance the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles to address the difficulties faced by Peter Quesenberry's group in the mechanistic explanation of the observed improvement in recovery as well as the difficulty in rigorously characterizing the extracellular vesicles to address rigor and reproducibility“States Graham C. Parker, PhD, Editor-in-Chief ofStem cells and developmentand the Department of Pediatrics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI.

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