Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026
Isolation of Tissue Extracellular Vesicles from the Liver
Published on: August 21, 2019
Platelet-rich plasma-derived extracellular vesicles improve liver cirrhosis in mice
Yuichirou Maeda1, Yusuke Watanabe1,2, Natsuki Ishikawa1
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan.
Introduction:
Cirrhosis remains a significant clinical challenge due to its poor prognosis and limited treatment options, creating a high unmet medical need for the development of novel therapies. In this study, we analyzed the effects of a novel approach to treat cirrhosis using platelet-rich plasma-derived extracellular vesicles (PRPEV) in mice.
Methods:
PRPEV were collected from platelet-rich plasma using ultrafiltration, and their proteomes were analyzed. The carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced cirrhosis model of mice was used to evaluate the effect of PRPEV administration and compared with the control group (n = 8). In vitro and in vivo mechanistic analyses of PRPEV administration were confirmed using real time-PCR and immunostaining.
Results:
Gene ontology analysis based on the proteome revealed that PRPEV contain many factors associated with EV and immune responses. In vitro, PRPEV polarize macrophages into an anti-inflammatory phenotype. Following PRPEV administration, there was a decrease in serum alanine aminotransferase levels and reduction in liver fibrosis, while mRNA levels of regenerative factors were upregulated and transforming growth factor β-1 was downregulated. Furthermore, the number of anti-inflammatory macrophages in the liver increased.
Conclusions:
PRPEV may contribute to hepatocyte proliferation, anti-inflammation, and anti-fibrogenesis in the liver. This novel concept paves the way for cirrhosis treatment.
