Telocytes‐derived extracellular vesicles alleviate aortic valve calcification by carrying miR‐30b

Extracellular Vesicles
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AIMS: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is frequent in the elderly. Telocytes (TCs) are implicated in intercellular communication by releasing extracellular vesicles (EVs). This study investigated the role of TC-EVs in aortic valve calcification. METHODS AND RESULTS: TCs were obtained and identified using enzymolysis method and flow cytometry. EVs were isolated from TCs using differential high-speed centrifugation method and identified using transmission electron microscope, western blot, and qNano analysis. The mouse model of CAVD was established. The changes of aortic valve activity-related indicators were analysed by ultrasound, and the expressions of TC markers CD34 and vimentin in mouse valve tissues were detected using RT-qPCR and western blot. The model mice were injected with TC-derived EVs. The expressions of Runx2, osteocalcin, and caspase-3 were detected using RT-qPCR and western blot. The calcification model of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) was established. TC-EVs were co-cultured with calcified VICs, and calcium deposition was detected using alizarin red S staining. miR-30b expression in calcified valvular tissues and cells was detected after EV treatment. miR-30b expression in TCs was knocked down and then EVs were extracted and co-cultured with calcified VICs. The target of miR-30b was predicted through bioinformatics website and verified using dual-luciferase assay. The levels of Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins were detected. ApoE-/- mice fed with a high-fat diet showed decreased aortic valve orifice area, increased aortic transvalvular pressure difference and velocity, reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, decreased CD34 and vimentin, and increased caspase-3, Runx2, and osteocalcin. The levels of apoptosis- and osteogenesis- related proteins were inhibited after EV treatment. TC-EVs reduced calcium deposition and osteogenic proteins in calcified VICs. EVs could be absorbed by VICs. miR-30b expression was promoted in calcified valvular tissues and cells after EV treatment. Knockdown of miR-30b weakened the inhibitory effects of TC-EVs on calcium deposition and osteogenic proteins. miR-30b targeted Runx2. EV treatment inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and knockdown of miR-30b in TCs attenuated the inhibitory effect of TC-EVs on the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. CONCLUSION: TC-EVs played a protective role in aortic valve calcification via the miR-30b/Runx2/Wnt/β-catenin axis.

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Background Previous studies found that cigarette smoke (CS) exposure could induce NSCLC malignancy and miRNA dysregulation. Yet, the association of CS-induced miRNA dysregulation and NSCLC malignancy has not been clearly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of CS exposure in smokers on the expression of miR-10b-5p and miR-320b in extracellular vesicles (EVs) from NSCLC patients. Material and methods Bioinformatic analysis was conducted to validate miRNA candidates. Blood and tissue samples were collected from NSCLC patients (n = 21) with smoking and non-smoking history. EVs were isolated from plasma and miRNAs were extracted from the isolated EVs. The miRNAs relative expression was analyzed and compared. Results In silico analysis identified miR-320b and miR-10b-5p as potential biomarkers for diagnosing NSCLC in smokers. Experimental analysis revealed differential expression of EVs-associated miRNAs in NSCLC patients with smoking and non-smoking histories. EVs-associated miR-10b-5p was significantly overexpressed in smoker NSCLC patients (p = 0.000), while miR-320b expression was significantly lower in this group (p = 0.018). Additionally, smoking intensity influenced miRNA expression, with higher smoking intensity correlating with increased miR-10b-5p expression and decreased miR-320b expression. ROC analysis demonstrated that EVs were a superior source of miRNAs compared to plasma for NSCLC diagnostics. miR-10b-5p and miR-320b in EVs showed higher diagnostic performance (AUC 0.878; 0.739) compared to plasma (AUC 0.628; 0.559). Conclusion CS exposure induces different expression of miR-10b-5p and miR-320b in EVs of NSCLC patients with smoking history. EV-related miR-10b-5p and miR-320b showed potential to be utilized as prognostic biomarker for smokers NSCLC patients.

2025

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising therapeutics with broad clinical applications as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic drug delivery systems. Yet, these biopharmaceuticals pose a challenge in terms of manufacturing due to their complexity and heterogeneity. Despite advancements in the field, current purification technologies lack scalability and/or selectivity. Affinity chromatography (AC) − coupling unmatched specificity and scalability − could be used to simplify purification processing and generate clinical-grade EVs with higher titers and purity. In the present work, we report the implementation of an immuno-AC resin to capture and purify EVs directly from clarified cellular feedstocks. Firstly, to guide and support marker selection, vesicle phenotype characterization was conducted using single particle interferometric reflectance image sensing (SP-IRIS) coupled with immunofluorescence. CD81 was the marker which shown to be more present and more likely to have the other markers (CD63 and CD9). Thus, anti-CD81 VHH ligand was generated and evaluated towards recombinant CD81 protein and CD81 bearing EV particles using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Different chromatographic studies with Anti-CD81 ligand immobilized onto agarose beads resin were conducted to optimize the process parameters (residence time, dynamic binding capacity and impurity clearance). At residence time of 2 min, on average 40 % of pure triple tetraspanin-positive EV fraction was recovered. The enrichment in EV particles herein obtained, based on scale-up calculations, it would be possible to produce 1 × 1013 EVs from a 1L cell culture, while meeting impurity requirements in a single-step purification process (impurity removal over 2 log reduction value). A single-step purification process is possible, enabling the successful isolation of homogeneous EVs population, counting with a final HCP titer of 60 ng/mL and 9 ng/mL of dsDNA impurities. EV’s morphological integrity and internalization ability were also demonstrated, showcasing elution’s efficiency under mild conditions. Overall, this work contributes to the development of a novel, highly specific, AC technology using a camelid-derived affinity ligand which, bridging the scalability requirements demanded of large-scale production, could potentiate the advent of EV-based therapies.

2025

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising therapeutics with broad clinical applications as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic drug delivery systems. Yet, these biopharmaceuticals pose a challenge in terms of manufacturing due to their complexity and heterogeneity. Despite advancements in the field, current purification technologies lack scalability and/or selectivity. Affinity chromatography (AC) − coupling unmatched specificity and scalability − could be used to simplify purification processing and generate clinical-grade EVs with higher titers and purity. In the present work, we report the implementation of an immuno-AC resin to capture and purify EVs directly from clarified cellular feedstocks. Firstly, to guide and support marker selection, vesicle phenotype characterization was conducted using single particle interferometric reflectance image sensing (SP-IRIS) coupled with immunofluorescence. CD81 was the marker which shown to be more present and more likely to have the other markers (CD63 and CD9). Thus, anti-CD81 VHH ligand was generated and evaluated towards recombinant CD81 protein and CD81 bearing EV particles using surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Different chromatographic studies with Anti-CD81 ligand immobilized onto agarose beads resin were conducted to optimize the process parameters (residence time, dynamic binding capacity and impurity clearance). At residence time of 2 min, on average 40 % of pure triple tetraspanin-positive EV fraction was recovered. The enrichment in EV particles herein obtained, based on scale-up calculations, it would be possible to produce 1 × 1013 EVs from a 1L cell culture, while meeting impurity requirements in a single-step purification process (impurity removal over 2 log reduction value). A single-step purification process is possible, enabling the successful isolation of homogeneous EVs population, counting with a final HCP titer of 60 ng/mL and 9 ng/mL of dsDNA impurities. EV’s morphological integrity and internalization ability were also demonstrated, showcasing elution’s efficiency under mild conditions. Overall, this work contributes to the development of a novel, highly specific, AC technology using a camelid-derived affinity ligand which, bridging the scalability requirements demanded of large-scale production, could potentiate the advent of EV-based therapies.

2025
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