# Therapeutic mechanisms of iPSC-MSC derived extracellular vesicles on dry mouth caused by Sjorgren's syndrome or radiotherapy

> **NIH NIH R56** · TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR · 2022 · $359,813

## Abstract

Project Summary
The long lasting decrease of saliva secretion, also called dry mouth, is common in patients with Sjögren's
syndrome (an autoimmune disease affecting salivary glands) or treated with radiation therapy for head and neck
cancer. This side effect significantly impairs the quality of life and is difficult to remedy. Mesenchymal
stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are conventionally isolated from tissues and capable of inhibiting autoimmune
responses and promoting regeneration, and have shown therapeutic efficacies in both types of dry mouth.
However, there are many limitations of using tissue-derived MSCs directly for therapies including their high
variations and limited expandability. The applicant’s recent work revealed that MSCs derived from human
induced pluripotent stem cells (iMSCs) are highly standardized and can be produced at a large scale.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized particles released from cells spontaneously. EVs carry bioactive
molecules similar to their originating cells, and are much safer and more feasible for clinical application compared
to their originating cells. iMSCs and their EVs showed immunosuppressive and pro-regenerative effects
comparable to the best tissue-derived MSCs. This proposal aims to determine therapeutic potentials and
mechanisms of iMSC EVs on both types of dry mouth. First, this project will determine therapeutic mechanisms
of systemically infused iMSC EVs on Sjögren's syndrome. Second, this project will determine therapeutic
mechanisms of locally infused iMSC EVs on the restoration of saliva secretion after local radiation. The success
of proposed research will provide the proof-of-concept and optimization guide of a novel and clinically feasible
therapy for both Sjögren's syndrome and dry mouth caused by radiation therapy. These outcomes will also
encourage further research on similar therapies for other autoimmune diseases or radiation damages to other
healthy organs.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10701307
- **Project number:** 1R56DE032028-01
- **Recipient organization:** TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCE CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryang Hwa Lee
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $359,813
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-23 → 2024-09-22

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10701307

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10701307, Therapeutic mechanisms of iPSC-MSC derived extracellular vesicles on dry mouth caused by Sjorgren's syndrome or radiotherapy (1R56DE032028-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-01 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10701307. Licensed CC0.

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