Abstract

Therapeutic Applications of Extracellular Vesicles for Extending Healthspan

Paul Robbins, Professor, University of Minnesota Medical School

A universal characteristic of aging is loss of tissue regenerative potential due to stem cell dysfunction, contributing to the dramatic increase in the risk of morbidity and mortality. We have used both naturally-aged mice and mouse models of accelerated aging to demonstrate that transplantation of young, functional adult stem cells results in an extension of healthspan. In addition, we have demonstrated that stem cell-derived EVs are a key mediator for conferring the observed extension of healthspan by young stem cells.   Progress towards developing clinically-relevant approaches using adult stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to treat age-related pathologies and extend healthspan will be presented.