Affiliations: [a] Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA | [b] Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| [c] Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health Systems, Detroit, MI, USA
| [d] Stemetix, Inc. Needham, MA, USA
| [e] Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| [f] Department Mathematics & Statistics, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: T.L. Moore, Department of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Boston University School of Medicine, 700 Albany Street, W701, Boston, MA, USA. Tel.: +1 617 358 8278; Fax: +1 617 358 8382; E-mail: tlmoore@bu.edu.
Abstract: Background:Exosomes from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are endosome-derived vesicles that have been shown to enhance functional recovery in rodent models of stroke. Objective:Building on these findings, we tested exosomes as a treatment in monkeys with cortical injury. Methods:After being trained on a task of fine motor function of the hand, monkeys received a cortical injury to the hand representation in primary motor cortex. Twenty-four hours later and again 14 days after injury, monkeys received exosomes or vehicle control. Recovery of motor function was followed for 12 weeks. Results:Compared to monkeys that received vehicle, exosome treated monkeys returned to pre-operative grasp patterns and latency to retrieve a food reward in the first three-five weeks of recovery. Conclusions:These results provide evidence that in monkeys exosomes delivered after cortical injury enhance recovery of motor function.
