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Updated: Jun 25, 2026
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Isolating, Sequencing and Analyzing Extracellular MicroRNAs from Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Published on: March 8, 2019
Transfer of microRNAs by embryonic stem cell microvesicles
Alex Yuan1, Erica L Farber, Ana Lia Rapoport
1Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States of America.
Plos One
|March 7, 2009
Summary
Embryonic stem cell microvesicles can be engineered to deliver proteins and RNA, including microRNAs, to other cells. This discovery suggests stem cell microvesicles could be valuable tools for cell-to-cell communication and potential therapeutics.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Extracellular Vesicles
Background:
- Microvesicles are plasma membrane-derived vesicles involved in intercellular communication.
- They play a role in hemostasis and can transfer proteins and RNA between cells.
- Embryonic stem cell (ESC) microvesicles are a potential source for therapeutic delivery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the RNA and protein content of ESC microvesicles.
- To investigate the engineering of ESC microvesicles for exogenous cargo delivery.
- To explore the potential of ESC microvesicles in transferring microRNAs and influencing gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of RNA and protein content in ESC microvesicles.
- Engineering ESCs to express green fluorescent protein (GFP) within microvesicles.
- Co-culture experiments of engineered ESC microvesicles with ESCs and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs).
- Analysis of microvesicle uptake, fusion, and microRNA transfer.
Main Results:
- ESC microvesicles can be engineered to carry and transfer exogenous mRNA and proteins like GFP.
- Engineered microvesicles successfully dock and fuse with recipient ESCs, delivering GFP.
- ESC microvesicles contain abundant microRNAs and can transfer a subset to MEFs in vitro.
- Demonstrated transfer of microRNAs suggests a mechanism for altering gene expression in neighboring cells.
Conclusions:
- ESC microvesicles are versatile carriers for intercellular transfer of various biomolecules.
- Engineered ESC microvesicles offer a promising platform for therapeutic applications, including gene modulation.
- Microvesicle-mediated microRNA transfer from stem cells highlights a novel signaling pathway within stem cell niches.
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