Naïve or Engineered Extracellular Vesicles from Different Cell Sources: Therapeutic Tools for Kidney Diseases
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Elena Ceccotti1, Gabriele Saccu1,2, Maria Beatriz Herrera Sanchez2,3
1Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, 10126 Torino, Italy.
Abstract:
Renal pathophysiology is a multifactorial process involving different kidney structures. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical condition characterized by tubular necrosis and glomerular hyperfiltration. The maladaptive repair after AKI predisposes to the onset of chronic kidney diseases (CKD). CKD is a progressive and irreversible loss of kidney function, characterized by fibrosis that could lead to end stage renal disease. In this review we provide a comprehensive overview of the most recent scientific publications analyzing the therapeutic potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EV)-based treatments in different animal models of AKI and CKD. EVs from multiple sources act as paracrine effectors involved in cell-cell communication with pro-generative and low immunogenic properties. They represent innovative and promising natural drug delivery vehicles used to treat experimental acute and chronic kidney diseases. Differently from synthetic systems, EVs can cross biological barriers and deliver biomolecules to the recipient cells inducing a physiological response. Moreover, new methods for improving the EVs as carriers have been introduced, such as the engineering of the cargo, the modification of the proteins on the external membrane, or the pre-conditioning of the cell of origin. The new nano-medicine approaches based on bioengineered EVs are an attempt to enhance their drug delivery capacity for potential clinical applications.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show therapeutic potential for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). These natural nanoparticles offer promising drug delivery for kidney repair and regeneration.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Regenerative Medicine
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Kidney diseases like acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) involve complex pathophysiology, including tubular necrosis, hyperfiltration, and fibrosis.
- Maladaptive repair following AKI can lead to progressive CKD and end-stage renal disease.
- Current therapeutic strategies often face limitations in effectively targeting kidney structures and promoting repair.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent scientific literature on the therapeutic potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in preclinical models of AKI and CKD.
- To analyze the mechanisms by which EVs exert therapeutic effects in kidney injury and disease.
- To explore advancements in bioengineering EVs for enhanced drug delivery and clinical application in renal diseases.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search of recent publications on EV-based treatments for experimental AKI and CKD.
- Analysis of studies investigating the source, cargo, and delivery mechanisms of therapeutic EVs.
- Review of methods for engineering EVs to improve their efficacy as drug carriers.
Main Results:
- EVs from various sources demonstrate paracrine effects, facilitating cell-cell communication with regenerative and immunomodulatory properties.
- EVs serve as natural, low-immunogenic drug delivery systems capable of crossing biological barriers to deliver therapeutic biomolecules.
- Engineered EVs, with modified cargo or surface proteins, show enhanced drug delivery capacity for treating experimental kidney conditions.
Conclusions:
- EV-based therapies represent a promising nanomedicine approach for treating experimental AKI and CKD.
- EVs offer advantages over synthetic carriers due to their natural origin, biocompatibility, and ability to induce physiological responses.
- Bioengineering strategies are advancing the potential of EVs for future clinical applications in renal disease management.
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