Abstract
Elucidation of the biological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their potential roles in physiological and pathological processes is an expanding field of research. In this study, we characterized USC-derived EVs and studied their capacity to modulate the human immune response in vitro. We found that the USC-derived EVs are a heterogeneous population, ranging in size from that of micro-vesicles (150 nm-1 μm) down to that of exosomes (60-150 nm). Regarding their immunomodulatory functions, we found that upon isolation, the EVs (60-150 nm) induced B cell proliferation and IgM antibody secretion. Analysis of the EV contents unexpectedly revealed the presence of BAFF, APRIL, IL-6, and CD40L, all known to play a central role in B cell stimulation, differentiation, and humoral immunity. In regard to their effect on T cell functions, they resembled the function of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived EVs previously described, suppressing T cell response to activation. The finding that USC-derived EVs transport a potent bioactive cargo opens the door to a novel therapeutic avenue for boosting B cell responses in immunodeficiency or cancer.