Research group:

Group leader - Gomzikova Marina Olegovna

PhD, senior researcher

PhD students, junior researchers:

Kletukhina Sevindzh Kamalovna

Neustroeva Olga Andreevna

Vasileva Olga Sergeevna

Master student, research assistant:

Kurbangaleeva Sirina Vasilevna

Main directions of research:

• - Evaluation of therapeutic potential of cytochalasin-B induced microvesicles (CIMVs) and stimulation of inner organs regeneration using animal models of toxic kidney injury, idiopathic lung fibrosis, myocardial ischemia;
• - Therapy of mitochondria diseases by CIMVs-MSCs mediated mitochondria delivery and restoration of mitochondrial membrane potential;
• - Investigation of molecular and cellular mechanisms of target cells (differentiated somatic cells) reprogramming;
• - role of intercellular communication and extracellular microvesicles in induction of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and formation of cancer stem cells;
• - CIMVs application for the treatment of autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis). Evaluation of immunomodulatory properties of MSCs derived CIMVs.

Methods

• - isolation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mesenchymal stem cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts;
• - differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells;
• - Evaluation of cell viability, percentage of apoptotic, necrotic cells by immunostaining (using antibodies against caspases, annexin V, dyes 7AAD, PI, CFDA);
• - transfection of human cells with plasmid vectors, transduction with viral vectors;
• - analysis of protein expression (protein electrophoresis, western blot, ELISA);
• - detection and analysis of genetic material expression (PCR, qPCR);
• - multiplex analysis - determination of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors concentration;
• - histological analysis (preparation of cryosections, paraffin sections, immunohistochemical staining);
• - flow cytometry, cell sorting;
• - confocal laser scanning microscopy;
• - electron microscopy (Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), immunoTEM).

Results

• - ability of CIMVs to deliver genetic material into recipient cells was discovered, indicating that CIMVs might be used as a new vector for gene therapy;
• - human MSCs derived CIMVs stimulate formation of capillary-like structures in vitro and  angiogenesis in vivo, implying their most probable use in stimulation of angiogenesis and treatment of ischemic damaged tissues;
• - CIMVs might be used as a model in studying of intercellular communication and molecular mechanisms of information transfer in biological systems;
• - transfer of surface receptors to target cells by CIMVs was established. Modification of CIMVs surface receptors might be used for targeted delivery of CIMVs contents.
• - immunosuppressive activity of human mesenchymal stem cell CIMVs in vitro and in vivo was identified. Therefore CIMVs can be used for therapy of autoimmune diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis);
  - Functional active mitochondria were found in MSCs derived CIMVs. CIMVs mediated delivery of “healthy” mitochondria can be used for the treatment of mitochondrial diseases and diseases associated/accompanied by decreased mitochondrial function (Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, coronary heart disease, aging, cancer).