The famous cousin.
Mesenchymal stem cells, as a potential therapeutic tool, are currently a shining star in the clinical field. Isolated cells are, nonetheless, classified as biomedicine and, as such, fall under many complex regulations. We all agree that more medicine in our bodies and more paperwork on our desks is not necessarily what we want to see more of in the world. This points out the need for an alternative cell-free treatment.
Recycling is the new sexy.
The saying goes No pain, no gain... yet avoiding the need to take additional medication (for 5 days prior to stem cell collection from blood)—which would move cells from the bone marrow into the bloodstream but also cause flu-like symptoms—or (while under anesthesia) having a needle inserted into your pelvic bone seems like quite a benefit to us. A very rich source of mesenchymal stem cells that is relatively minimally invasive to collect is closer than we think.
It is the human body’s sustainable energy reserve—adipose (fat) tissue—which is now (as a byproduct of liposuction) being treated as bio-waste.
Even the smallest vesicle can change the course of the future.
Adipose tissue is a heterogeneous tissue that can be divided into two fractions: the adipocytes (fat cells) and the stromal vascular fraction. The latter consists of the extracellular matrix, a collection of various cells (such as lymphocytes, monocytes, fibroblasts, and stem cells), and substances released as mediators of intercellular communication: the secretome, consisting of proteins (such as growth factors and hormones) and vesicles—exosomes.
Recent studies have shown that the regenerative capacity (in organs, the brain, the retina, and joint cartilage) of the secretome alone—without adipose-derived stem cells or any other cells—is similar to the regenerative capacity of the entire lipoaspirate, revealing that exosomes are important transporters of biological peptides, miRNAs, chemokines, cytokines, enzymes, immunoregulatory, trophic, and growth factors.
Our precious...
An exosome is a small, single-membrane, secreted organelle that has the same topology as its parent cell. It has the potential to attract cells and to stimulate differentiation, proliferation, and vascularization, which are essential for tissue regeneration.
Fortunately for us, that's mostly all that we're made of.
What's in it for me, a healthy person in the prime of my life?
Our largest organ, the skin, undergoes a constant maturation process, losing its vitality as we speak. For example, despite a young age, it can show discoloration or scars (from acne, accidents, or surgery), or wounds that are difficult to heal.
... and our vision.
The regenerative activity of exosomes, as well as protocols to isolate them, are currently under extensive (time- and cost-consuming) study and yield promising results.
To date, however, no medical device is available to isolate and evaluate (using multi-omics) the number and size of exosomes and to investigate the origin of these extracellular vesicles (based on an antigen assay), with a view to using them in well-controlled, cell-free, and affordable therapies—which inspired us to make this our focus.
Hence, where others see waste, we see a key player of healthy aging and longevity and are, in collaboration with Dr. Patrick Tonnard, excited to make this kick-off our contribution to science.