© GEORGE RETSECK. Redrawn from Circ Res, doi:10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.116.310374, 2017, with permission
Stem "Cell" Synthesis
To create synthetic mesenchymal stem cells (synMSCs), the researchers start with human bone marrow-derived MSCs (1). They combine secretions from these cells with a biodegradable polymer, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) or?PLGA, creating microparticles (2). The microparticles are then encased in cell membranes derived from human MSCs (3) to allow the synMSCs to anchor to tissues and gradually release secreted factors, mimicking real MSCs (4).
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