Currently, stem cell transplantations in cardiac repair are limited owing to disadvantages, such as immunological rejection and poor cell viability. Although direct injection of exosomes can have a curative effect similar to that of stem cell transplantation, high clearance hinders its application in clinical practice. Previous reports suggested that induction of coronary collateralization can be a desired method of adjunctive therapy for someone who had missed the optimal operation time to attenuate myocardial ischemia. In this study, to mimic the paracrine and biological activity of stem cells, we developed artificial stem cells that can continuously release Tβ4-exosomes (Tβ4-ASCs) by encapsulating specific exosomes within microspheres using microfluidics technology. The results show that Tβ4-ASCs can greatly promote coronary collateralization in the periphery of the myocardial infarcted area, and its therapeutic effect is superior to that of directly injecting the exosomes. In addition, to better understand how it works, we demonstrated that the Tβ4-ASC-derived exosomes can enhance the angiogenic capacity of coronary endothelial cells (CAECs) via the miR-17-5p/PHD3/Hif-1α pathway. In brief, as artificial stem cells, Tβ4-ASCs can constantly release functional exosomes and stimulate the formation of collateral circulation after myocardial infarction, providing a feasible and alternative method for clinical revascularization.
Tβ4-ASCs, an artificial stem cells developed by combining microspheres and engineered exosomes, can release Tβ4-exosomes slowly and continuously in myocardial infarcted area. Specific Tβ4-EXOs released constantly from Tβ4-ASCs can enhance the formation of coronary collateralization by promoting the angiogenesis of coronary artery endothelial cells (CAECs), meeting the requirements of precision medicine.
Inspired by the paracrine of stem cells, we fabricated artificial stem cells (Tβ4-ASCs) by loading engineered Tβ4-exosomes with microspheres using microfluidics technology.
Tβ4-ASCs stimulate the formation of coronary collateralization in myocardial infarcted area through a slowly sustained release of engineered Tβ4-exosomes.
Tβ4-ASCs improve coronary collateralization via the miR-17-5p/PHD3/Hif-1α signaling pathway.