Grape Exosome-like Nanoparticles Induce Intestinal Stem Cells and Protect Mice From DSS-Induced Colitis

Food-derived exosome-like nanoparticles pass through the intestinal tract throughout our lives, but little is known about their impact or function. Here, as a proof of concept, we show that the cells targeted by grape exosome-like nanoparticles (GELNs) are intestinal stem cells whose responses underlie the GELN-mediated intestinal tissue remodeling and protection against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. This finding is further supported by the fact that coculturing of crypt or sorted Lgr5+ stem cells with GELNs markedly improved organoid formation. GELN lipids play a role in induction of Lgr5+ stem cells, and the liposome-like nanoparticles (LLNs) assembled with lipids from GELNs are required for…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: MCB 0920663, DBI 0521587, EPS 0236913, DBI 1228622
• KS
  Kansas State University
• SG
  Susan G. Komen
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: RO1AT004294, R01CA107181, RO1CA116092, RO1CA137037, P20RR16475