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Expanding the reach of plant exosomes

U. Louisville study shows plant exosomes can turn the microbiome against colitis

November 7, 2018 7:29 PM UTC

A University of Louisville team has shown how plant-derived exosomes could mobilize the gut microbiome against colitis, broadening the range of potential indications for the technology beyond those the university already has in Phase I testing.

The paper, published last month in Cell Host & Microbe, showed that exosome-like nanoparticles (ELNs) -- the plant equivalent of exosomes -- derived from ginger modulated the gut microbiome of mice to protect them from colitis. The study also showed that ginger ELN-derived microRNAs had the same therapeutic effect when repackaged in artificial nanovectors made from ginger-derived lipids...