Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
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- MakaleAçık Erişim2026Plant-derived extracellular vesicles improve endothelial viability and reduce cytotoxicity under oxidative stress
Duman, Büşra Öncel; Gacar, Gülçin; Halbutogullari, Zehra Seda Unal; Yılmaz, Yağmur; Somuncu, Nisan; Kir, Ramazan; Sağlam, Özlem
Objective: Endothelial dysfunction is a central feature of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and is closely linked to oxidative stress–induced cellular injury. Excessive reactive oxygen species production disrupts endothelial viability, membrane integrity, and redox balance. Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PD-EVs) have emerged as biocompatible nanovesicles with antioxidant potential; however, their effects on endothelial cells under oxidative stress remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of PD-EVs on endothelial cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide–induced oxidative stress. Methods: Extracellular vesicles were isolated from pomegranate, grape, and beetroot using differential ultracentrifugation and characterized by protein quantification, dynamic light scattering, and electron microscopy. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and subsequently treated with individual or combined PD-EVs. Cell viability and cytotoxicity were assessed using CCK-8 and LDH assays. Antioxidant responses were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR analysis of GPX1 gene expression. Results: PD-EVs displayed nanoscale size and morphology consistent with extracellular vesicles. H₂O₂ exposure significantly reduced HUVEC viability and increased LDH release. PD-EV treatment significantly improved cell viability and reduced cytotoxicity under oxidative stress, with beetroot-derived and combined EV formulations showing the strongest effects. GPX1 expression was suppressed by H₂O₂ but significantly restored following PD-EV treatment, indicating activation of an adaptive antioxidant response. Conclusion: Plant-derived extracellular vesicles attenuate oxidative endothelial injury by improving cell viability, preserving membrane integrity, and restoring GPX1-associated antioxidant defenses. These findings highlight PD-EVs as a promising biocompatible, cell-free strategy for protecting endothelial cells against oxidative stress.
- MakaleAçık Erişim2024Scopus SJRQ2Production of alginate macrocapsule device for long-term normoglycaemia in the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus with pancreatic cell sheet engineering
Duman, Büşra Öncel; Yazir, Yusufhan; Halbutoğullari, Zehra Seda; Mert, Serap; Öztürk, Ahmet; Gacar, Gülçin; Duruksu, Gökhan
Type 1 diabetes-mellitus (T1DM) is characterized by damage of beta cells in pancreatic islets. Cell-sheet engineering, one of the newest therapeutic approaches, has also been used to create functional islet systems by creating islet/beta cell-sheets and transferring these systems to areas that require minimally invasive intervention, such as extrahepatic areas. Since islets, beta cells, and pancreas transplants are allogeneic, immune problems such as tissue rejection occur after treatment, and patients become insulin dependent again. In this study, we aimed to design the most suitable cell-sheet treatment method and macrocapsule-device that could provide long-term normoglycemia in rats. Firstly, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and beta cells were co-cultured in a temperature-responsive culture dish to obtain a cell-sheet and then the cell-sheets macroencapsulated using different concentrations of alginate. The mechanical properties and pore sizes of the macrocapsule-device were characterized. The viability and activity of cell-sheets in the macrocapsule were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Fasting blood glucose levels, body weight, and serum insulin & C-peptide levels were evaluated after transplantation in diabetic-rats. After the transplantation, the blood glucose level at 225 mg dl-1 on the 10th day dropped to 168 mg dl-1 on the 15th day, and remained at the normoglycemic level for 210 days. In this study, an alginate macrocapsule-device was successfully developed to protect cell-sheets from immune attacks after transplantation. The results of our study provide the basis for future animal and human studies in which this method can be used to provide long-term cellular therapy in T1DM patients.
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