Overview
Overview
Cell-free paracrine alternative to stem cell therapy; captures the FULL bioactive output of UCT-WJ-MSCs including both vesicular (exosomes) and soluble (proteins, cytokines, growth factors) secretory fractions
Related: Stem Cells Overview • Exosomes Overview
FOR RESEARCH USE AND INTERNATIONAL USE ONLY
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Source | UCT-WJ-Mesenchymal Stem Cells (undifferentiated) — full paracrine secretory output |
| Growth Factors | HGF, IGF-1, VEGF, EGF, FGF-2, Wnt3a, PDGF-BB |
| miRNA Cargo | miR-146a, miR-21, miR-29 (packaged in the exosome/EV fraction) |
| Identity Markers | CD9⁺/CD63⁺/CD81⁺ (exosome/EV fraction); full-spectrum soluble protein profile confirmed by LC-MS/MS |
| Release Criteria | NTA-validated particle count plus protein characterization (400+ proteins identified by LC-MS/MS per batch) |
| Storage | −20 °C long-term; do not refreeze after thaw |
| Immunogenicity | Non-immunogenic; cell-free with no nuclear material or MHC surface expression — no HLA matching required for allogeneic use |
| Manufacturing | cGMP, animal-product-free |
Difference
What Distinguishes Secretomes from Exosomes?
While exosome products contain the membrane-enclosed vesicular fraction (miRNAs, mRNAs, proteins within lipid bilayer), secretomes capture the COMPLETE paracrine output: all exosomes PLUS all soluble proteins — including growth factors too large or hydrophilic for exosomal packaging. Key soluble components exclusive to secretomes include: full-length HGF, IGF-1, VEGF (higher concentration), IL-10, IL-6, TGF-β1, Wnt ligands, FGF-2, EGF, and 400+ additional proteins identified by proteomics. This broader molecular diversity makes secretomes particularly effective for systemic applications requiring multi-pathway engagement.
Components
Key Components
| Component Class | Examples & Functions |
|---|---|
| Exosome/EV Fraction (50B/dose) | miR-146a, miR-21, miR-29, BDNF, GDNF, VEGF mRNA — all exosome cargo |
| Immunomodulatory Cytokines | IL-10, TGF-β1, PGE2, IDO — systemic anti-inflammatory effects |
| Angiogenic Growth Factors | VEGF-A, Ang-1, FGF-2, PDGF-BB — vascularization and tissue repair |
| Trophic Growth Factors | HGF, IGF-1, EGF, NGF, GDNF — organ-specific regeneration |
| Anti-Fibrotic Factors | Decorin, miR-29, HGF, Follistatin — fibrosis suppression |
| Extracellular Matrix Components | Fibronectin, Laminin, Collagen fragments — matrix scaffold support |
| Wnt & BMP Modulators | Wnt3a, sFRP-1, BMP-4 antagonists — stem cell niche activation |
| Lipid Mediators | Prostaglandins, lysophospholipids — immunomodulatory lipid signaling |
Applications
Potential Applications
- Neurological: Stroke, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, TBI, Neuropathy
- Autoimmune & Inflammatory: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Crohn's, Psoriasis
- Metabolic & Cardiovascular: Type 2 Diabetes, Heart Failure, Peripheral Artery Disease
- Pulmonary & Renal: COPD, Pulmonary Fibrosis, CKD, AKI
- Musculoskeletal: Osteoarthritis, Sports Injuries, Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
- Dermatological: Wound Healing, Skin Rejuvenation, Alopecia
- Reproductive Wellness: Erectile Dysfunction, Vaginal Atrophy
- Anti-Aging & General Wellness: Systemic Inflammation Reduction, Immune Reset
These are experimental use cases, provided as a scientific reference for researchers. Except where noted, they did not use Akira Biotech materials, and results may not be reproducible with ours. Akira Biotech supplies laboratory reagents for research use only. Our products are NOT approved by FDA or any regulatory authority and are not for use in or on humans.
Evidence
Clinical Evidence
A 2025 comprehensive review (PMC12344367) confirmed MSC-secretome-derived soluble factors (HGF, VEGF, IL-10, IGF-1) provide the primary mechanisms of MSC therapeutic efficacy across all tested organ systems — with paracrine signaling now recognized as the dominant therapeutic pathway over direct differentiation. The secretome therefore represents the most concentrated form of MSC therapeutic output in a cell-free format.
Proteomic characterization of UCT-WJ-MSC secretomes by LC-MS/MS reveals 400+ proteins including growth factors, cytokines, extracellular matrix components, proteases/inhibitors, and regulatory proteins. The richer protein diversity of secretomes vs exosomes alone has been confirmed in multiple comparative studies to produce broader therapeutic responses — particularly in systemic applications.
In knee OA models, intra-articular MSC secretome injection (NCT07157891 Phase I planned) is being formally investigated in combination with PRGF, building on established exosome efficacy data to test the full paracrine output.[1] This trial demonstrates growing clinical recognition of secretome-based therapy.
| Study / Trial | N / Design | Endpoints | Key Finding |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSC Secretome Comprehensive Review[2] | Comprehensive review, 2025 | Soluble factor mechanisms (HGF, VEGF, IL-10, IGF-1) across organ systems | Soluble factors provide the primary mechanisms of MSC therapeutic efficacy across all tested organ systems; paracrine signaling now recognized as the dominant therapeutic pathway over direct differentiation |
| UCT-WJ-MSC Secretome Proteomic Characterization[3] | LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis | Protein diversity vs. exosomes alone | 400+ proteins identified (growth factors, cytokines, ECM components, proteases/inhibitors, regulatory proteins); richer diversity vs. exosomes alone linked to broader therapeutic responses, particularly in systemic applications |
| Knee OA Secretome + PRGF[1] | Intra-articular injection combined with PRGF; Phase I planned (NCT07157891) | Formal investigation of full paracrine output efficacy | Building on established exosome efficacy data to test the full paracrine output |
References
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Investigating the Safety and Regenerative Potential of MSC-Derived Secretome Combined With PRGF in Knee Osteoarthritis, 2025 ↩ ↩2
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From bench to bedside: translating mesenchymal stem cell therapies through preclinical and clinical evidence, 2025 ↩
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Conditioned Medium from Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: Towards the Clinical Translation, 2019 ↩