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Tissue Engineering

Tissue Engineering - Poster Session E

Z20 - Functionalized Engineered Extracellular Vesicles for Targeted Delivery to Intervertebral Disc Cells

Saturday, October 11, 2025
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
Location: Exhibit Hall F, G & H

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Carman M. Taylor

    Undergraduate Researcher
    The Ohio State University
    Mansfield , Ohio, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • MK

    Mia Kordowski

    Graduate Research Associate
    Ohio State University, United States

    • Last Author(s)

  • DP

    Devina Purmessur

    Associate Professor
    The Ohio State University, United States

    • Primary Investigator(s)

  • Natalia Higuita-Castro

    Associate Professor
    The Ohio State University
    COLUMBUS, Ohio, United States

    • Co-Author(s)

  • JR

    Justin Richards, BS

    Senior Research Assistant
    The Ohio State University
    Sunbury , Ohio, United States

  • KD

    Khady Diop

    Graduate Student
    The Ohio State University, United States

  • MR

    Maria Angelica Rincon-Benavides

    Post doctoral Fellow
    The Ohio State University
    COLUMBUS, Ohio, United States


Introduction: : Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) is a condition which affects more than 27% of people nationwide but is often difficult to treat due to the low regenerative capacity of the deteriorated intervertebral disc (IVD) [1]. The healthy IVD supports spinal flexibility and is composed of a central gelatinous-rich Nucleus Pulposus (NP) region surrounded by a fibrous Annulus Fibrosis (AF) region containing concentric lamella of type I collagen [3]. While highly prevalent, treatments for DDD are often limited as they are unsafe, invasive, or fail to promote tissue regeneration [2]. To address this, we propose to engineer extracellular vesicles (eEVs) loaded with key developmental transcription factors that promote reprogramming IVD cells to increase collagen and ECM production, overall encouraging a healthy, pro-anabolic phenotype. Furthermore, we propose to functionalize eEVs with AF- and NP- specific transmembrane ligands for targeted delivery. This minimally invasive and targeted delivery approach offers a valuable treatment option for DDD and chronic back pain.

Materials and

Methods: : eEVS were generated by electroporating human dermal fibroblasts or primary NP and AF cells with plasmids encoding for transcription factors FOXF1 and Brachyury (T) or Mohawk (MKX) and Scleraxis (SCX), and transmembrane ligands Netrin-1 for AF cells, and CD11a for NP cells. Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA) was used to determine eEV size distribution and concentration. Super resolution microscopy was used to confirm localization of the ligands on the eEV surface, while qRT-PCR was used to confirm transcription factor and ligand expression in eEVs. Targeting efficiency was assessed through confocal imaging of fluorescently labeled EVs that were incubated with labelled unhealthy NP and AF cells and originated from degenerative patient tissue (IRB 2015H038).

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: Outcomes from this project highlight the potential for eEVS to deliver therapeutic cargo specifically to NP or AF cells. qRT-PCR results determined that there was no significant difference in expression in eEVs released from transfected cells after 6, 12, and 24 hours. However, high gene expression proved eEVs were successfully loaded with FOXF1 and T, or MKX and SCX, and functionalized with either Netrin-1 or CD11a (Figure, 1A,B). Confocal images visually confirmed successful uptake of the eEVs to the NP and AF cells (Figures 1C,D), as well as preferential targeting to the cells upon addition of transmembrane ligands (Figures 1E,F). Super-resolution images showed eEVs functionalized with the ligand compared to sham (Figure 1G), which confirmed Netrin-1 presence on the surface of the EV (Figure 1H).

This study highlights the capabilities of eEVs to be loaded with key developmental transcription factors and functionalized with transmembrane ligands to preferentially target NP and AF cells in the IVD. In doing so, a healthy, pro-anabolic phenotypic IVD can be promoted. Current work lies in optimizing a 3D culture system for NP/AF cells using alginate beads and nanofibers, respectively.

Acknowledgements and/or References (Optional): : [1] Parenteau, C. S., Lau, E. C., Campbell, I. C., & Courtney, A. (2021). Prevalence of spine degeneration diagnosis by type, age, gender, and obesity using Medicare data. Scientific reports, 11(1), 5389. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84724-6

[2] Donnally III CJ, Hanna A, Varacallo MA. Lumbar Degenerative Disk Disease. [Updated 2023 Aug 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448134/

[3] Waxenbaum JA, Reddy V, Futterman B. Anatomy, Back, Intervertebral Discs. [Updated 2023 Dec 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470583/