IMSC-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES ATTENUATE LPS-INDUCED LUNG INJURY AND ENDOTOXEMIA IN MICE

Abstract

Abstract Introduction We hypothesized extracellular vesicles (EVs) from preconditioned human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and endotoxemia. Methods iMSCs were incubated with cell stimulation cocktail (CSC) and EVs were isolated. iMSC-EVs were characterized by size and EV markers. Bio-distribution of intratracheal (IT), intravenous and intraperitoneal injection of iMSC-EVs in mice was examined using IVIS. Uptake of iMSC-EVs in lung tissue, alveolar macrophages and RAW264.7 cells was also assessed. C57BL/6 mice were treated with IT/IP iMSC-EVs or vehicle ± IT/IP LPS to induce ALI/ARDS and endotoxemia. Lung tissues, plasma and BALF were harvested at 24 h. Lung histology, BALF neutrophil/macrophage, cytokine levels and total protein concentration were measured to assess ALI and inflammation. Survival studies were performed using IP LPS in mice for three days. Results iMSC-EV route of administration resulted in differential tissue distribution. iMSC-EVs were taken up by alveolar macrophages in mouse lung and cultured RAW264.7 cells. IT LPS-treated mice demonstrated marked histologic ALI, increased BALF neutrophils/macrophages and protein, increased BALF and plasma TNF-α/IL-6 levels. These parameters were attenuated by 2 h pre- or 2 h post-treatment with IT iMSC-EVs in ALI mice. Interestingly, the IT LPS-induced increase in IL-10 was augmented by iMSC-EVs. Mice treated with IP LPS showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 that were downregulated by iMSC-EVs and LPS-induced mortality was ameliorated by iMSC-EVs. Administration of IT iMSC-EVs 2 h after LPS down-regulated the increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-6) by LPS and further increased IL-10 levels. Conclusions iMSC-EVs attenuate the inflammatory effects of LPS on cytokine levels in ALI and IP LPS in mice. LPS-induced mortality was improved with administration of iMSC-EVs.