Hybrid and synthetic vesicles formed by extracellular vesicles and liposomes for the supplementation of embryo cells during bovine in vitro production

• Grant number: 22/01236-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2022
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Coelho da Silveira
• Grantee: Matheus Andrade Chaves
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos (FZEA). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Pirassununga , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/06645-0 - Extracellular vesicles as a platform for diagnostic and manipulation of the in vitro embryo production system: the next generation in animal reproduction, AP.JP2

Abstract

The in vitro production (IVP) of bovine embryos is a reproductive technique that enables the maximization of the genetic potential of herd from the crossing of high value animals. Such practice moves millions of dollars a year, and Brazil is the second largest producer of bovine embryos developed in vitro in the world. Therefore, it becomes interesting the development of methods that allow the improvement of such technique, in order to reduce costs. In this context, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are structures released from almost all cells and are involved in intercellular communication, playing important roles in mediating the exchange of bioactive materials such as mRNA, miRNA, DNA and proteins. Moreover, EVs can also be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, acting in the detection of cellular changes and in the modification of target cells, respectively. However, the extraction of high-purity EVs is known to be complicated and their structure lacks flexibility, which may hinder the intercellular diffusion of bioactive molecules. In order to minimize such negative effects, the present Postdoctoral project proposes to: (i) produce hybrid vesicles by fusing EVs and liposomes, which will show higher carrying potential, in order to create a more flexible, functional and endogenous lipid structure for the transport of molecules; (ii) study the feasibility of producing synthetic liposomes containing bioactive molecules of interest for IVP, normally found in EVs, in order to overcome the problem related to the extraction of EVs from cellular media and (iii) verify the effect of hybrid and synthetic vesicles on the growth and development of bovine embryos produced in vitro. This project will significantly increase the understanding about the transport and delivery mechanisms of EVs to embryonic cells, accelerating the development of a next generation platform for animal reproduction and impacting the IVP industry as a whole by obtaining optimized carriers containing miRNAs interesting for embryonic development.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CHAVES, MATHEUS A.; FERREIRA, LETICIA S.; BALDINO, LUCIA; PINHO, SAMANTHA C.; REVERCHON, ERNESTO. Current Applications of Liposomes for the Delivery of Vitamins: A Systematic Review. NANOMATERIALS, v. 13, n. 9, p. 37-pg., 2023-05-05. (22/01236-7, 19/08345-3, 17/10954-2)