Exploration of extracellular vesicles from porcine endometrial cells for enhancing the development of parthenogenetic embryos.

BACKGROUND

In recent years, in vitro production (IVP) techniques have been employed in human infertility treatment and commercial animal reproduction. However, IVP embryos still exhibit lower quality compared to naturally produced ones. To enhance IVP embryo quality, cellular therapy using extracellular vesicles (EVs) from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has gained attention. EVs, considered safer and more stable, facilitate communication between the uterus and embryos. The research on the application of porcine endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (PEMSCs) in parthenogenetic oocyte activation remains limited. This study aims to investigate the effects of PEMSC-derived EVs on porcine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) and development, using the pig as a biomedical and agricultural model.

METHODS

The study includes four experiments: establishing PEMSCs, isolating EVs and analyzing miRNAs, selecting factors to enhance embryo development, and examining miRNA impact on gene expression in embryos. PEMSCs differentiate into adipocytes and osteoblasts and express MSC-specific markers.

RESULTS

EV analysis reveals sizes ranging from 80 to 160 nm, with an average size of 113 nm. Twelve miRNAs are identified, with miR-21-5p showing a significant increase in blastocyst rate during IVM. Addition of miR-143-3p during IVM/IVC significantly increases eight-cell stage rate. Although miR-143-3p and miR-381-3p addition does not significantly affect blastocyst rate, there is an increasing trend.

CONCLUSION

Adding miRNAs from PEMSC-derived EVs during IVP enhances parthenogenetic porcine embryo development and quality. Specifically, miR-21-5p effectively enhances Oct4 expression, thereby improving the blastocyst formation rate. This finding holds potential for human infertility treatment, livestock production, and endangered species conservation.