Exploring the role of extracellular vesicles in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation and bone healing

• Grant number: 25/23040-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 26, 2026
• End date: January 25, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Chemistry of Macromolecules
• Principal Investigator: Pietro Ciancaglini
• Grantee: Larwsk Hayann Gonçalves da Silva
• Supervisor: David Joshua Cohen Md
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/17743-0 - Elucidation of the composition and function of the protein corona in matrix vesicles (MVs): a new mechanism for controlling biomineralization?, BP.PD

Abstract

Exosomes (EXs) and matrix vesicles (MVs) are types of extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched with bioactive molecules, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, that play critical roles in cell-to-cell communication and tissue regulation. EXs, in particular, are being explored for clinical applications in musculoskeletal tissue regeneration, such as osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation, osteoarthritis, fracture healing, and cartilage repair. However, their heterogeneity, influenced by the complexity of the musculoskeletal environment, presents challenges in fully understanding their therapeutic potential. MVs, produced by cells like osteoblasts, odontoblasts, cementoblasts, and chondrocytes, also play a role in osteogenesis and ECM mineral deposition. This project aims to investigate the interactions between EXs and MVs in regulating bone formation, especially during peri-implant bone formation. The hypothesis is that MVs produced by MSCs modulate osteoblast differentiation during ECM maturation, while EXs influence MSC activities in the peri-implant environment and systemically. The specific aims of the study are (i) to compare the production and composition of MVs and EXs during osteoblast differentiation, (ii) to define how EXs and MVs interact with osteoblasts´ membrane to deliver their cargo and how it regulates peri-implant bone formation; and (iii) to assess their effects on bone defect healing and osseointegration in vivo. The results will provide crucial insights into the role of EXs and MVs in osteogenesis and inform the development of new therapeutic strategies for peri-implant bone regeneration.