Adipose Tissue Stem Cells (ASCs) and ASC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Prevent the Development of Experimental...

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Cell Therapy
• Biomaterials Science

Background:

• Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis, potentially leading to peritoneal membrane failure.
• Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) offer therapeutic potential via paracrine mechanisms for regenerative applications.
• Protecting the peritoneal membrane (PM) is crucial for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) in mitigating peritoneal fibrosis (PF).
• To evaluate the impact of ASCs and EVs on peritoneal membrane structure, fibrosis markers, inflammation, and function in a rat model.

Main Methods:

• A rat model of peritoneal fibrosis (PF) was induced using chlorhexidine gluconate.
• Animals were treated with ASCs or EVs to assess their therapeutic effects.
• Key markers of fibrosis, inflammation, gene expression (Smad3, Smad7), and peritoneal membrane function (ultrafiltration capacity, glucose transport, neoangiogenesis) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• ASC and EV treatments significantly prevented PM thickening and reduced myofibroblasts, fibronectin, collagen III, TGF-β, and FSP-1.
• Both treatments exhibited potent anti-inflammatory effects and modulated Smad3/Smad7 gene expression.
• While VEGF expression decreased, peritoneal function remained effective, with EVs showing superior enhancement of ultrafiltration capacity.

Conclusions:

• ASCs and EVs effectively hinder PF progression and exert anti-inflammatory effects in an experimental model.
• EV treatment demonstrated superior preservation of peritoneal membrane function and enhanced ultrafiltration capacity.
• ASCs and EVs represent promising novel therapeutic strategies for preventing peritoneal dialysis-associated PF.