Abstract

Glial Cell-Derived EVs for Axon Growth and Neurorepair

Damien Pearse, Professor, Department of Neurological Surgery; The John M. and Jocelyn H.K. Watkins Distinguished Chair in Cell Therapies, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, are important cell-to-cell communication vehicles for influencing target cell behavior both locally and at a distance through their delivery of microRNA and protein cargoes. EVs can be readily harvested from cultured human and rodent glial cells in large yields for potential therapeutic use in neurological diseases and neurotrauma where their affects include favorable immunomodulation, anti-inflammatory activities, suppression of cell death, directed cell differentiation and the stimulation of axon growth and neuroplasticity. Here we will report on our work in which we have identified that EVs derived from Schwann cells and phenotypically converted microglia can promote axon growth of CNS neurons. We will also discuss the utility of glial cell-derived EVs as therapeutic vehicles for spinal cord injury (SCI) protection and repair.