Grant Award Details

iPSC Extracellular Vesicles for Diabetes Therapy
Grant Type: 
Grant Number: 
DISC2-13163
Project Objective: 
  • To develop cell-free immunomodulatory therapeutics based on iPSC-EVs and develop a hydrogel delivery platform to enable a prolonged and controlled release of immunomodulatory EVs.
Investigator: 
Name: 
Institution: 
Type: 
PI
Disease Focus: 
Diabetes
Metabolic Disorders
Type 1 diabetes
Human Stem Cell Use: 
Embryonic Stem Cell
iPS Cell
Award Value: 
$1,354,928
Status: 
Active

Grant Application Details

Application Title: 
  • iPSC Extracellular Vesicles for Diabetes Therapy
Public Abstract: 

Research Objective

We will derive extracellular vesicles (EVs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), characterize the content and immunomodulatory activity of EVs, and deliver iPSC-EVs to treat Type-1 diabetes.

Impact

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease and there is no therapy to preserve islet cells. Accomplishment of this project will generate a new therapeutic modality for T1D treatment.

Major Proposed Activities

  • EV isolation, characterization and reproducibility
  • Scaling up EV production in a bioreactor
  • Analysis of iPSC EV content and identification of the components for EV quality control
  • Development of a hydrogel delivery platform for EV delivery and prolonged presentation
  • In vitro assessment of immunomodulatory properties of EVs and development of in vitro functional assay
  • Evaluation of safety and immunomodulatory properties of iPSC EVs in vivo in T1D mouse models
Statement of Benefit to California: 

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing beta cells by patient’s own immune cells. This project aims to develop cell-free immunomodulatory therapeutics based on the extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to treat T1D. This project will develop a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of T1D and autoimmune diseases, and will benefit our citizens and healthcare in California and beyond.

  • Share
PrintPDF version