Abstract 490: Enhanced Therapeutic Effects of MSC-derived Exosomes with an Injectable Hydrogel for Hindlimb Ischemia Treatment

• Published in: Circulation research 2018-08, Vol.123 (Suppl_1)
• Main Authors: Li, Zongjin, Zhang, Kaiyue, Zhao, Xiangnan, Kong, Deling, Zhao, Qiang, Liu, Na, Ma, Fengxia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0009-7330; 1524-4571
• DOI: 10.1161/res.123.suppl_1.490

Abstract only Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have been recognized as new candidates for cell-free treatment of various diseases. However, maintaining the retention and stability of exosomes over time in vivo after transplantation is a major challenge in clinical application of MSC-derived exosomes. Here, we investigated if human placenta-derived MSCs (hP-MSCs) derived exosomes incorporated with chitosan hydrogel could boost the retention and stability of exosomes and further enhance their therapeutic effect. Our results demonstrated that chitosan hydrogel notably increased the stability of proteins and microRNAs in exosomes, as well as augmented the retention of exosomes in vivo as confirmed by Gaussia luciferase imaging. In addition, we evaluated the therapeutic function of hP-MSCs derived exosomes incorporated with chitosan hydrogel in a murine model of hindlimb ischemia. Our data demonstrated that chitosan hydrogel could enhance the retention of exosomes and further augment the therapeutic effects for hindlimb ischemia as revealed by firefly luciferase imaging of angiogenesis. The strategy used in this study may facilitate the development of easy and effective approaches for assessing and enhancing the therapeutic effects of stem cell-derived exosomes.