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Updated: Jan 13, 2026
Isolation, Characterization, and Therapeutic Application of Extracellular Vesicles from Cultured Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Published on: September 23, 2022
Multimodal Antiatherosclerotic Effects of Clinical-Grade Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles
Joo Ho Kim1, Doil Park1, Jaein Yoo1
1Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Science & Technology (SAIHST), Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea (J.K., D.P., J.Y., O.Y.B.).
Background:
Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular diseases. Despite current lipid-lowering therapies, residual risk persists due to inflammation and elevated Lp(a) (lipoprotein[a]) levels. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles show promise as a novel therapeutic modality. This hypothesis-testing (new) study investigated the antiatherosclerotic effect and systemic lipid-modulating potential of the clinical-grade mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle product SNE-101, which is currently approved for acute ischemic stroke trials.
Methods:
ApoE-/- (apolipoprotein E-deficient) mice (male, 6-8 weeks old; n=6 per group) were placed on a high-fat diet, and SNE-101 (6×10⁸ particles) was administered intravenously via the tail vein once weekly for 4 weeks. The primary exposure variable was SNE-101 treatment, and the primary outcome variable was aortic plaque burden, quantified as the percentage of Oil Red O-stained area. In vitro foam cell assays were performed to assess cholesterol efflux.
Results:
In vitro, SNE-101 significantly reduced lipid accumulation and enhanced cholesterol efflux via upregulation of the PPARγ (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma)/LXRα (liver X receptor alpha)/ABCA1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter A1)/ABCgG1 (ATP-binding cassette transporter G1) axis (P<0.050). In ApoE-/- mice, SNE-101 attenuated aortic plaque burden, inflammation, and hepatic steatosis. Extracellular vesicle treatment significantly improved systemic lipid profiles by reducing LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol), triglyceride, PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9), and Lp(a) levels (P<0.050) while restoring hepatic LDL-R (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol) expression.
Conclusions:
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (SNE-101) represent a promising therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. By enhancing cholesterol efflux, suppressing PCSK9 and Lp(a), and reducing systemic inflammation, SNE-101 addresses critical cardiovascular risks. This provides strong mechanistic guidance for its application in ongoing clinical trials for acute ischemic stroke.
