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Updated: Jul 20, 2025
A Novel Clinical Grade Isolation Method for Human Kidney Perivascular Stromal Cells
Published on: August 7, 2017
Update on current and potential application of extracellular vesicles in kidney transplantation
Matteo Abinti1, Evaldo Favi2, Carlo Maria Alfieri3
1Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Kidney transplantation (KT) is the best treatment for end-stage kidney disease. However, early diagnosis of graft injury remains challenging, mainly because of the lack of accurate and noninvasive diagnostic techniques. Improving graft outcomes is equally demanding, as is the development of innovative therapies. Many research efforts are focusing on extracellular vesicles, cellular particles free in each body fluid that have shown promising results as precise markers of damage and potential therapeutic targets in many diseases, including the renal field. In fact, through their receptors and cargo, they act in damage response and immune modulation. In transplantation, they may be used to determine organ quality and aging, the presence of delayed graft function, rejection, and many other transplant-related pathologies. Moreover, their low immunogenicity and safe profile make them ideal for drug delivery and the development of therapies to improve KT outcomes. In this review, we summarize current evidence about extracellular vesicles in KT, starting with their characteristics and major laboratory techniques for isolation and characterization. Then, we discuss their use as potential markers of damage and as therapeutic targets, discussing their promising use in clinical practice as a form of liquid biopsy.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles show promise for diagnosing kidney transplant (KT) injury and improving outcomes. These cell-derived particles can serve as noninvasive biomarkers and therapeutic agents in transplantation.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Immunology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Kidney transplantation (KT) is the optimal treatment for end-stage kidney disease.
- Early detection of graft injury and improvement of KT outcomes are significant clinical challenges.
- Noninvasive diagnostic methods are lacking for timely graft assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in kidney transplantation.
- To explore the potential of EVs as diagnostic markers for graft injury and as therapeutic targets.
- To discuss the application of EVs in clinical practice for KT management.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on extracellular vesicles in kidney transplantation.
- Summary of laboratory techniques for EV isolation and characterization.
- Discussion of EV properties, cargo, and immunomodulatory functions.
Main Results:
- Extracellular vesicles show potential as precise, noninvasive biomarkers for various transplant-related pathologies, including organ quality, delayed graft function, and rejection.
- EVs possess low immunogenicity and a safe profile, making them suitable for targeted drug delivery.
- Their role in damage response and immune modulation highlights their therapeutic potential.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular vesicles represent a promising frontier in kidney transplantation diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Their utility as a 'liquid biopsy' offers a noninvasive approach to monitor graft health.
- Further research into EVs can lead to improved patient outcomes and innovative treatment strategies in KT.
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