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Extracellular Vesicles from Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells for Treatment of Kidney Diseases

A subset of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can modulate glomerular signaling

Published: 27th September 2019
Extracellular Vesicles from Human Amniotic Fluid Stem Cells for Treatment of Kidney Diseases
Source: amaskincare.com/about/alice-pien-md-medical-director, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-4.0

Background

More than 31M people suffer from Chronic Kidney Disease in the US, and the cost borne by the healthcare system is around $70K per patient annually.

Technology Overview

A subset of amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) that can modulate glomerular signaling. Specific proteins and micro-RNAs (miRs) within EVs have been identified that modulate signaling (e.g., via VEGF), and may have a protective role in various diseases. Such EVs have shown therapeutic effect following single dose administration in slowing renal disease in an Alport disease mouse model (Figure 1, Figure 2 & Figure 3).

Further Details

Benefits

  • EVs are non-immunogenic permitting allogeneic use
  • EVs are stable in vivo
  • EVs (and/or their constituents) can be packaged in an off-the-shelf product, unlike stem cells
  • Certain EV constituents may also be used as biomarkers in kidney disease

Applications

  • Targeted therapy designed to preserve renal function
  • Wide applicability across an array of renal diseases

CHLA Case No. 2015-016

Patents
  • PCT/US2017/060917
IP Status
  • Patent application submitted
Seeking
  • Development partner
  • Licensing