Poster #039
Radiolabeling and Purifying GPR44-Conjugated MSC-EVs for Diabetes Therapy
Mentor: Na Luan, GSP-Visiting Scholar
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) enable intercellular communication and provide healing benefits of MSCs, without the risk associated with live cell therapy. However, MSC-EV applications in diabetes research are limited due to low pancreatic uptake. To improve targeting, we conjugated a GPR44 antagonist to MSC-EVs, enhancing their binding to human islet cells. While promising, verifying GPR44 surface conjugation on EVs and achieving high-purity EVs remains a key challenge. To address this, we will radio-label GPR44 antagonists with ¹⁸F for direct visualization through PET imaging. Because radiolabeling requires highly pure EVs, we plan to evaluate multiple size exclusion chromatography (SEC) columns based on separation efficiency and compatibility with low-volume radiolabeling. Optimization will use EVs conjugated with non-radioactive ¹⁹F-GPR44. This approach aims to support noninvasive imaging of GPR44-targeted EVs and advance therapeutic delivery strategies for future diabetes treatment.