Keywords

Mesenchymal, Exosomes, 3D culture, Stem cells

Abstract

This study focuses on investigating the effect of culture conditions on the production of exosomes by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles, typically measuring between 30 to 120 nanometers in size, that are naturally secreted by cells to facilitate intercellular communication. Exosomes are promising candidates for both diagnostic tools and drug delivery systems. MSC-derived exosomes have been studied for their unique ability to carry anti-inflammatory cytokines and other beneficial factors. While MSC exosomes hold significant potential in the treatment of numerous diseases, long-term cultivation of MSCs poses various challenges. Over time, MSCs often exhibit increased differentiation and a slow proliferation rate when grown in 2D cultures, which do not accurately replicate the conditions within the human body. In contrast, 3D cultures provide a more physiologically relevant environment. In this study, we found that cultivating MSCs as spheroids increased secretion of exosomes. This study will provide valuable insights into addressing these challenges and optimizing clinical utilization of MSCs and their exosomes to harness their therapeutic potential effectively.

Thesis Completion Year

2025

Thesis Completion Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair

Sugaya, Kiminobu

College

College of Medicine

Department

Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences

Thesis Discipline

Biomedical Sciences

Language

English

Access Status

Campus Access

Length of Campus Access

3 years

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

Restricted to the UCF community until 5-15-2028; it will then be open access.

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Rights Statement

In Copyright