Neural Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Neuroregeneration
School Name
Dutch Fork High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Engineering
Presentation Type
Mentored
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) causes the gradual loss of neurons, which leads to memory and cognitive problems. Due to the inability to replace the lost neurons, current treatments cannot stop or reverse the progression of AD. One promising approach is to convert astrocytes, a type of support cell in the brain, into new neurons. However, delivering the drugs needed to trigger this conversion safely and effectively remains difficult due to the existence of the blood brain barrier (BBB). In this study, I tested the feasibility of using neural stem cell-derived exosomes as carriers for small drug molecules. I isolated the exosomes from neuron stem cells through centrifuge processes and a commercialized exosome purification kit. Through TEM imaging, size and zeta potential determination, and western blotting, I characterized the structure, size, and proteins in my exosome sample. I loaded two drug compounds that induce astrocyte to neuron conversion, CHIR99021 and SB431542, into the exosomes through incubation, and I used high-performance liquid chromatography to measure the loading efficiency of the exosome, and I achieved over 90% loading efficiency. Confocal microscopy revealed that exosomes can effectively enter astrocytes and convert them into neurons. I found that drug-loaded exosomes were taken up efficiently by the endothelium cells of the BBB and astrocytes and ultimately helped convert astrocytes into neurons. My findings suggest that neural stem cell–derived exosomes could offer a safe and targeted way to promote neuron regeneration in the brain, which opens a window for reversing the progression of AD.
Recommended Citation
Xu, Zhixuan, "Neural Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Neuroregeneration" (2026). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 26.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2026/all/26
Location
Furman Hall 201
Start Date
3-28-2026 9:00 AM
Presentation Format
Oral Only
Group Project
No
Neural Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for Neuroregeneration
Furman Hall 201
Alzheimer's disease (AD) causes the gradual loss of neurons, which leads to memory and cognitive problems. Due to the inability to replace the lost neurons, current treatments cannot stop or reverse the progression of AD. One promising approach is to convert astrocytes, a type of support cell in the brain, into new neurons. However, delivering the drugs needed to trigger this conversion safely and effectively remains difficult due to the existence of the blood brain barrier (BBB). In this study, I tested the feasibility of using neural stem cell-derived exosomes as carriers for small drug molecules. I isolated the exosomes from neuron stem cells through centrifuge processes and a commercialized exosome purification kit. Through TEM imaging, size and zeta potential determination, and western blotting, I characterized the structure, size, and proteins in my exosome sample. I loaded two drug compounds that induce astrocyte to neuron conversion, CHIR99021 and SB431542, into the exosomes through incubation, and I used high-performance liquid chromatography to measure the loading efficiency of the exosome, and I achieved over 90% loading efficiency. Confocal microscopy revealed that exosomes can effectively enter astrocytes and convert them into neurons. I found that drug-loaded exosomes were taken up efficiently by the endothelium cells of the BBB and astrocytes and ultimately helped convert astrocytes into neurons. My findings suggest that neural stem cell–derived exosomes could offer a safe and targeted way to promote neuron regeneration in the brain, which opens a window for reversing the progression of AD.
