• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.118-123
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• 2020

Cardiac regeneration with adult stem-cell (ASC) therapy is a promising field to address advanced cardiovascular diseases. In addition, extracellular vesicles (EVs) from ASCs have been implicated in acting as paracrine factors to improve cardiac functions in ASC therapy. In our work, we isolated human cardiac mesenchymal stromal cells (h-CMSCs) by means of three-dimensional organ culture (3D culture) during ex vivo expansion of cardiac tissue, to compare the functional efficacy with human bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (h-BM-MSCs), one of the actively studied ASCs. We characterized the h-CMSCs as CD90^low, c-kit^negative, CD105^positive phenotype and these cells express NANOG, SOX2, and GATA4. To identify the more effective type of EVs for angiogenesis among the different sources of ASCs, we isolated EVs which were derived from CMSCs with either normoxic or hypoxic condition and BM-MSCs. Our in vitro tube-formation results demonstrated that the angiogenic effects of EVs from hypoxia-treated CMSCs (CMSC-Hpx EVs) were greater than the well-known effects of EVs from BM-MSCs (BM-MSC EVs), and these were even comparable to human vascular endothelial growth factor (hVEGF), a potent angiogenic factor. Therefore, we present here that CD90^lowc-kit^negativeCD105^positive CMSCs under hypoxic conditions secrete functionally superior EVs for in vitro angiogenesis. Our findings will allow more insights on understanding myocardial repair.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2018

Proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles (EVs) from biological fluid is a powerful approach to discover potential biomarkers for human diseases including cancers, as EV secreted to biological fluids are originated from the affected tissue. In order to investigate significant molecules related to the pathogenesis of bladder cancer, EVs were isolated from patient urine which was analyzed by mass spectrometry based proteomics. Comparison of the EV proteome to the whole urine proteome demonstrated an increased number of protein identification in EV. Comparative MS analyses of urinary EV from control subjects and bladder cancer patients identified a total of 1,222 proteins. Statistical analyses provided 56 proteins significantly increased in bladder cancer urine, including proteins for which expression levels varied by cancer stage (P-value < 0.05). While urine represents a valuable, non-invasive specimen for biomarker discovery in urologic cancers, there is a high degree of intra- and inter-individual variability in urine samples. The enrichment of urinary EV demonstrated its capability and applicability of providing a focused identification of biologically relevant proteins in urological diseases.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.44 no.10
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• pp.736-745
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• 2021

Although various marine ingredients have been exploited for the development of cosmetic products, no previous study has examined the potential of seaweed extracellular vesicles (EV) in such applications. Our results revealed that EV from Codium fragile and Sargassum fusiforme effectively decreased α-MSH-mediated melanin synthesis in MNT-1 human melanoma cells, associated with downregulation of MITF (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor), tyrosinase and TRP1 (tyrosinase-related proteins 1). The most effective inhibitory concentrations of EV were 250 ㎍/ml for S. fusiforme and 25 ㎍/ml for C. fragile, without affecting the viability of MNT-1 cells. Both EV reduced melanin synthesis in the epidermal basal layer of a three-dimensional model of human epidermis. Moreover, the application of the prototype cream containing C. fragile EV (final 5 ㎍/ml) yielded 1.31% improvement in skin brightness in a clinical trial. Together, these results suggest that EV from C. fragile and S. fusiforme reduce melanin synthesis and may be potential therapeutic and/or supplementary whitening agents.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.376-387
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• 2022

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an essential role in the communication between cells and the tumor microenvironment. However, the effect of tumor-derived EVs on the growth and metastasis of lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains to be explored. This study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-153-3p-EVs in the invasion and migration capabilities of LUAD cells and explore its mechanism through in vivo and in vitro experiments. We found that miR-153-3p was specifically and highly expressed in LUAD and its secreted EVs. Furthermore, the expression of BANCR was negatively regulated by miR-153-3p and identified as a target gene of miR-153-3p using luciferase reporter assays. Through further investigation, we found that the downregulation of BANCR activates the PI3K/AKT pathway and accelerates the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which ultimately leads to the aggravation of LUAD. The orthotopic xenograft mouse model was established to illustrate the effect of miR-153-3p-EVs on LUAD. Animal studies showed that miR-153-3p-EVs accelerated tumor growth in mice. Besides, we found that miR-153-3p-EVs could damage the respiratory ability of mice and produce a mass of inflammatory cells around the lung tissue of mice. Nevertheless, antagomir-153-3p treatment could inhibit the deterioration of respiratory function and inhibit the growth of lung tumors in mice. In conclusion, our study reveals the potential molecular mechanism of miR-153-3p-EVs in the development of LUAD and provides a potential strategy for the treatment of LUAD.

• BMB Reports
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• v.55 no.5
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• pp.205-212
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• 2022

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic disorder characterized by suprapubic pain and urinary symptoms such as urgency, nocturia, and frequency. The prevalence of IC/BPS is increasing as diagnostic criteria become more comprehensive. Conventional pharmacotherapy against IC/BPS has shown suboptimal effects, and consequently, patients with end-stage IC/BPS are subjected to surgery. The novel treatment strategies should have two main functions, anti-inflammatory action and the regeneration of glycosaminoglycan and urothelium layers. Stem cell therapy has been shown to have dual functions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic option for IC/BPS, but they come with several shortcomings, such as immune activation and tumorigenicity. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) hold numerous therapeutic cargos and are thus a viable cell-free therapeutic option. In this review, we provide a brief overview of IC/BPS pathophysiology and limitations of the MSC-based therapies. Then we provide a detailed explanation and discussion of therapeutic applications of EVs in IC/BPS as well as the possible mechanisms. We believe our review will give an insight into the strengths and drawbacks of EV-mediated IC/BPS therapy and will provide a basis for further development.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.40.1-40.7
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• 2023

To optimize the most efficient method for porcine in vitro maturation (IVM), we compared the effects of supplementing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from porcine follicular fluid (pFF). The cumulus oocyte complexes were grouped into 4 groups with different supplementations as following: pFF (G1), pFF-depleted EVs (G2), EVs (G3) and control (G4) groups. After IVM with different supplementations, maturation rates and the developmental competences of porcine oocytes and blastocyst development were investigated. Additionally, glutathione (GSH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured in mature oocytes. The EVs were isolated and characterized with cryo-TEM and nanoparticle tracking analysis. The pFF significantly affected the maturation rate, whereas the presence of EVs did not show notable difference in the maturation rates. Although there were numerical increases in the measured parameters in EV and pFF-depleted EVs groups, no significant differences were observed between them. The EV group showed similar oocyte maturation rate for both positive and negative control groups. The GSH was not different among the groups, but ROS levels were significantly lower in pFF-supplemented group when compared with other groups with the highest level in the control group. G2 group wasn't significantly different G1 and G3 group. G3 group wasn't significantly different from G2 and G4 group. This suggests that EVs in IVM medium which probably effected partially to protect against oxidative stress and potentially enhance the quality of oocytes. This study indicates that the EVs in pFF play a significant role in improving the efficiency of oocyte maturation in porcine.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.791-807
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• 2017

The type II secretion system (T2SS), which transports selected periplasmic proteins across the outer membrane, has rarely been studied in nonpathogens or in organisms classified as Betaproteobacteria. Therefore, we studied Cupriavidus metallidurans (Cme), a facultative chemilithoautotroph. Gel analysis of extracellular proteins revealed no remarkable differences between the wild type and the T2SS mutants. However, enzyme assays revealed that native extracellular alkaline phosphatase is a T2SS substrate, because activity was 10-fold greater for the wild type than a T2SS mutant. In Cme engineered to produce three Ralstonia solanacearum (Rso) exoenzymes, at least 95% of their total activities were extracellular, but unexpectedly high percentages of these exoenzymes remained extracellular in T2SS mutants cultured in rich broth. These conditions appear to permit an alternative secretion process, because neither cell lysis nor periplasmic leakage was observed when Cme produced a Pectobacterium carotovorum exoenzyme, and wild-type Cme cultured in minimal medium secreted 98% of Rso polygalacturonase, but 92% of this exoenzyme remained intracellular in T2SS mutants. We concluded that Cme has a functional T2SS despite lacking any abundant native T2SS substrates. The efficient secretion of three foreign exoenzymes by Cme is remarkable, but so too is the indication of an alternative secretion process in rich culture conditions. When not transiting the T2SS, we suggest that Rso exoenzymes are probably selectively packaged into outer membrane vesicles. Phylogenetic analysis of T2SS proteins supports the existence of at least three T2SS subfamilies, and we propose that Cme, as a representative of the Betaproteobacteria, could become a new useful model system for studying T2SS substrate specificity.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2020

The implantation process is highly complex and difficult to mimic in vitro, and a reliable experimental model of implantation has yet to be established. Many researchers have used embryo transfer (ET) to assess implantation potential; however, ET with pseudopregnant mice requires expert surgical skills and numerous sacrificial animals. To overcome those economic and ethical problems, several researchers have tried to use outgrowth models to evaluate the implantation potential of embryos. Many previous studies, as well as our experiments, have found significant correlations between blastocyst outgrowth in vitro and implantation in utero by ET. This review proposes the blastocyst outgrowth model as a possible alternative to animal experimentation involving ET in utero. In particular, the outgrowth model might be a cost- and time-effective alternative method to ET for evaluating the effectiveness of culture conditions or treatments. An advanced outgrowth model and further culture of outgrowth embryos could provide a subtle research model of peri- and postimplantation development, excluding maternal effects, and thereby could facilitate progress in assisted reproductive technologies. Recently, we found that outgrowth embryos secreted extracellular vesicles containing specific microRNAs. The function of microRNAs from outgrowth embryos should be elucidated in further researches.

• Mass Spectrometry Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.93-105
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• 2021

Exosomes have gained the attention of the scientific community because of their role in facilitating intercellular communication, which is critical in disease monitoring and drug delivery research. Exosome research has grown significantly in recent decades, with a focus on the development of various technologies for isolating and characterizing exosomes. Among these efforts is the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS), which offers high-throughput direct analysis while also being cost and time effective. MALDI is used less frequently in exosome research than electrospray ionization due to the diverse population of extracellular vesicles and the impurity of isolated products, both of which necessitate chromatographic separation prior to MS analysis. However, MALDI-MS is a more appropriate instrument for the analytical approach to patient therapy, given it allows for fast and label-free analysis. There is a huge drive to explore MALDI-MS in exosome research because the technology holds great potential, most notably in biomarker discovery. With methods such as fingerprint analysis, OMICs profiling, and statistical analysis, the search for biomarkers could be much more efficient. In this review, we highlight the potential of MALDI-MS as a tool for investigating exosomes and some of the possible strategies that can be implemented based on prior research.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.46 no.12
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• pp.757-763
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• 2023

In this study, we examine whether a change in the protein levels for FOP in Ankyrin repeat and SAM domain-containing protein 1A (ANKS1A)-deficient ependymal cells affects the intraflagellar transport (IFT) protein transport system in the multicilia. Three distinct abnormalities are observed in the multicilia of ANKS1A-deficient ependymal cells. First, there were a greater number of IFT88-positive trains along the cilia from ANKS1A deficiency. The results are similar to each isolated cilium as well. Second, each isolated cilium contains a significant increase in the number of extracellular vesicles (ECVs) due to the lack of ANKS1A. Third, Van Gogh-like 2 (Vangl2), a ciliary membrane protein, is abundantly detected along the cilia and in the ECVs attached to them for ANKS1A-deficient cells. We also use primary ependymal culture systems to obtain the ECVs released from the multicilia. Consequently, we find that ECVs from ANKS1A-deficient cells contain more IFT machinery and Vangl2. These results indicate that ANKS1A deficiency increases the entry of the protein transport machinery into the multicilia and as a result of these abnormal protein transports, excessive ECVs form along the cilia. We conclude that ependymal cells make use of the ECV-based disposal system in order to eliminate excessively transported proteins from basal bodies.