FURI | Spring 2022

Characterization of Trophoblast Derived Exosomes to Engineer an Immunomodulatory Macroencapsulation Device for Cell Therapies

Trophoblasts are cells that populate the human placenta and release extracellular vesicles called exosomes, involved in cell-to-cell communication. Trophoblasts are believed to be involved in site-specific immunomodulation and their exosomes may play a role in preventing immunological attack of the fetus despite presenting foreign antigens. Isolation of these exosomes and their encapsulation within hydrogel macroencapsulation matrices could allow for sustained localized immunomodulation with potential applications in cell therapies such as islet transplantation to treat Type 1 diabetes.