Adipose Tissue Stem Cells (ASCs) and ASC-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Prevent the Development of Experimental Peritoneal Fibrosis.

ABSTRACT: Cell therapy utilizing mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) through paracrine mechanisms holds promise for regenerative purposes. Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a significant complication of peritoneal dialysis. Various strategies have been proposed to protect the peritoneal membrane (PM). This study explores the effectiveness of adipose-tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs) at mitigating PF using a rat model of PF induced by chlorhexidine gluconate. ASC and EV treatments effectively prevented an increase in the thickness of the PM and diminished the number of myofibroblasts, fibronectin expression, collagen III expression, and PF-related factors such as TGF-β and FSP-1. Smad3 gene expression decreased in the treatment groups, whereas Smad7 gene expression increased in

SUBMITTER: Gouveia PQ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11941392 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature