Therapeutic potential of TMSC-Exo for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using the liver-on-a-chip model
Quick Facts
- Publication title: Therapeutic potential of TMSC-Exo for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using the liver-on-a-chip model
- Journal: J Transl Int Med
- Year: 2026
- DOI: 10.1515/jtim-2026-0007
- PMID/PMCID: 41727958; PMC12916270
Research overview
This study aimed to develop a biomimetic liver-chip using co-cultured human hepatocyte (HepaRG) with hepatic stellate and endothelial cells to model NAFLD, and evaluate the therapeutic potential of scalable telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT)-immortalized umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (TMSC-Exo). Effective therapeutic strategies for NAFLD remain urgently needed.
Key findings
Cells cultured in LC showed better viability compared to those in the Transwell system.
The on-chip NAFLD model mimicked the characteristics of NAFLD in vivo, including intracellular lipid accumulation and impaired hepatocyte functions in albumin synthesis, levels of urea, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4.
Both TMSC-Exo and resmetirom displayed a significant effect in reducing the lipid accumulation in the on-chip NAFLD model.
The TMSC-Exo showed superior effects in elevating the levels of albumin, urea, CYP1A2, and CYP3A4.
Study design
HepaRG cells, hepatic stellate cells, and endothelial cells were used to construct a dual-chamber biocompatible LC.
The NAFLD model was induced by free fatty acid (FFA) and applied to evaluate the efficacy of resmetirom and TMSC-Exo for the treatment of NAFLD.
Moreover, the high-fat (HF) diet-induced mouse model was analyzed to verify the in vitro results.
Echo Biotech Role
Echo Biotech contributed EV isolation and purification, EV characterization; the study also used or cited Exosupur®.
Related platforms: Exoomics®, Research Reagents & Tools
Related services and capabilities: Cell-Culture Supernatant EV Isolation & Purification, EV Basic Characterization (TEM/NTA/WB), Research Reagent / Product Supply
Related products or reagents: Exosupur® EV Isolation/Purification Kit
References
Original publication: Therapeutic potential of TMSC-Exo for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease using the liver-on-a-chip model Journal of translational internal medicine. 2026. DOI: 10.1515/jtim-2026-0007. PMID/PMCID: 41727958; PMC12916270.