The Effect of Milk-Derived Extracellular Vesicles on Intestinal Epithelial Cell Proliferation

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Cell Biology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and impaired intestinal barrier function.
• Current treatments for IBD, including biologics, often fail to achieve sustained remission.
• Novel therapeutic strategies are needed to address the unmet needs in IBD management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic potential of milk-derived extracellular vesicles (MDEs) for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• To evaluate the effects of MDEs on intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) function and barrier repair.
• To assess the selective impact of MDEs on healthy IECs versus colon cancer cells.

Main Methods:

• Isolation and characterization of milk-derived extracellular vesicles (MDEs).
• Evaluation of MDEs in a Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-induced murine colitis model.
• Assessment of MDEs in patient-derived colon organoids (PDCOs) and colon cancer cells.

Main Results:

• MDEs significantly ameliorated disease symptoms in a DSS-induced colitis model.
• MDEs promoted intestinal epithelial regeneration by upregulating β-catenin and Wnt signaling.
• MDEs enhanced IEC proliferation and barrier repair in PDCOs, while reducing proliferation in colon cancer cells.

Conclusions:

• Milk-derived extracellular vesicles (MDEs) demonstrate significant therapeutic potential for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• MDEs promote intestinal epithelial repair and barrier function through Wnt signaling modulation.
• MDEs exhibit a dual therapeutic effect, supporting healthy cell proliferation while inhibiting cancer cell growth.