PhD Scientific Days 2026

Poster Session 2.E - Pathological and Oncological Sciences

ECFC-derived Extracellular Vesicles: Biodistribution, Cellular Uptake, and Therapeutic Potential in Sepsis-induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Előadó neve

Menna, Luigi, MSc

Neptune code

WC4D56

Előadó munkahelye

Semmelweis University

Előadó telefonszáma

+36 30 877 2493

Előadó e-mail címe

menna.luigi@semmelweis.hu

Az előadás címe

ECFC-derived Extracellular Vesicles: Biodistribution, Cellular Uptake, and Therapeutic Potential in Sepsis-induced Cardiac Dysfunction

Szerző(k) neve és munkahelye

Luigi Menna¹, Boglárka Nagy¹, Nóra Fekete¹, Kristóf Csont¹, Tünde Bárkai¹, Edit I Buzás¹, Hargita Hegyesi¹

1: Semmelweis University

Bemutatás módja

Poszter

Szekció

Poster Session 2.E - Pathological and Oncological Sciences

Language of the presentation

English

Preferred session

Pathological and Oncological Sciences

Összefoglaló szövege

Introduction: Sepsis is driven by an aberrant host immune response to infection, often leading to multiorgan failure and high mortality. Up to 60% of patients develop sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy (SICM), a myocardial dysfunction that markedly worsens prognosis. The molecular pathways underlying SICM remain poorly understood, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Endothelial Colony-Forming Cells (ECFCs) are proliferative vascular progenitors with strong angiogenic capacity, whose secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) shuttle proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids supporting immune regulation, endothelial preservation, and myocardial recovery, while circumventing risks of direct cell transplantation.
Aims: To investigate the biodistribution, cellular uptake, and therapeutic potential of ECFC-derived EVs in a murine model of sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Methods: Primary ECFCs were isolated from bone marrow of bi-transgenic mice with GFP expression restricted to EPCs and their progeny, then characterized by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. EVs were purified by differential ultracentrifugation and analyzed via flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. GFP-tagged EVs were administered intraperitoneally and their uptake by peritoneal cells was assessed at multiple timepoints by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Survival was evaluated by Kaplan–Meier analyses across groups receiving LPS alone or combined with small or large EVs.
Results: GFP-expressing EVs were efficiently internalized by peritoneal cells in vivo, confirming intercellular transfer. EV administration was well-tolerated across all experimental groups. Survival analyses revealed differences among treatment groups.
Conclusion: ECFC-derived EVs are taken up by target cells in vivo and show a favorable safety profile, supporting their potential as a therapeutic strategy to attenuate cardiac injury in sepsis.
Funding: VEKOP-2.3.2-162016-00002, VEKOP-2.3.3-15-2017-00016, the Therapeutic Thematic Programme TKP2021-EGA-23, RRF-2.3.121-2022-00003 (National Cardiovascular Laboratory Program) and 2019-2.1.7-ERA-NET-2021-00015. The project received funding from EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under grant agreement No. 739593 and NKFIH 147023 FK, 150767 Advanced and 151417 Excellence grants.

University

Semmelweis University

Supervisor

Dr. Hegyesi Hargita

Publication of my abstract

I do not give consent to the publication of my abstract on the website of the congress.

phd.section.field

in doctoral studies after complex exam (PhD)

Kind

Szabad

Status

elfogadva

Accepted presentation method

poszter

Előadás fájl jóváhagyás

nem rendelkezett róla

Előadó

8923

Start

18:24

End

18:27