Nasal Mucosa-Derived Extracellular Vesicles as a Systemic Antiaging Intervention.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Extracellular Vesicle Biology

Background:

• Aging leads to widespread tissue dysfunction and reduced regenerative capacity.
• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as key mediators of intercellular communication.
• Nasal mucosa-derived EVs (nmEVs) represent a readily accessible source for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the systemic anti-aging effects of nmEVs in aged mice.
• To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying nmEV-mediated rejuvenation.
• To assess the translational potential of nmEVs for treating age-related decline.

Main Methods:

• Treatment of aged mice with systemically administered nmEVs.
• Assessment of cognitive function and hippocampal aging signatures.
• Transcriptomic analysis of multiple aging-sensitive organs.
• In vitro studies on aged human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Main Results:

• nmEVs improved cognitive performance and normalized hippocampal aging signatures.
• Transcriptomic analysis revealed nmEVs restored circadian rhythmicity and suppressed senescence pathways in multiple organs.
• nmEVs alleviated senescence phenotypes, restored proliferation, and reactivated clock gene expression in aged stem cells.
• Modulation of the p53 pathway was observed, suggesting its role in nmEV effects.

Conclusions:

• Systemic administration of nmEVs exerts broad anti-aging effects in aged mice.
• nmEVs rejuvenate tissues by restoring circadian function, suppressing senescence, and modulating key molecular pathways.
• nmEVs are a clinically accessible, age-independent therapeutic candidate for systemic aging intervention.