“Cellular Dust” (extracellular vesicles) in Regenerative Medicine
While stem cell culture and transplantation has growing currency in regenerative medicine, French researchers have proposed that extracellular vesicles (lipid particles containing DNA RNA or protein; aka “cellular dust”) could be an effective way to promote healthy cells, or at least effective communication between them. By incorporating EVs into a gel and injecting that preparation into pig fistulas, the scientists report 100% remedy of the abnormal connections between two body cavities. MORE
This novel form of cellular communication was first shown by Robin Felder and his colleagues at The University of Virginia who demonstrated that human kidney nephrons could communicate with each other via exosomal signaling (aka cellular dust). MORE
Image Credit: University of Paris, ACS Publications