Abstract

Pharmacoengineered Extracellular Vesicles for Therapeutic Applications

Juliane Nguyen, Associate Professor, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

An increasing number of studies report that mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes have regenerative effects. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this are poorly characterized. Using microRNA profiling and network analysis, we identified the dominant biological processes and pathways modulated by exosomal miRNAs. Further, to improve upon the intrinsic biological effects of MSC exosomes, we have discovered novel biomaterials that allow highly efficient loading of exosomes with therapeutic cargoes including nucleic acids, paving the way for cell-free therapeutics in many diseases including cardiac regeneration after myocardial infarction.