Functional nanovesicles from human trophectodermal cells for embryo implantation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of embryo attachment and outgrowth critical for successful implantation. While EVs have garnered immense interest in their therapeutic potential in assisted reproductive technology by improving implantation success, their large-scale generation remains a major challenge. Here, we report a rapid and scalable production of nanovesicles (NVs) from human trophectoderm cells (hTSCs) via membrane extrusion; these NVs can be generated in approximately 6 hours with a 20-fold higher yield than EVs isolated from the same number of cells. NVs display similar biophysical traits (morphologically intact, spherical, 90-130 nm) to EVs, and are laden with hallmark players of implantation (ITGA2/V, ITGB1, PRDX1, SOD2, and MFGE8) that include cell-matrix adhesion and extracellular matrix organisation proteins. Functionally, NVs are readily taken up by low-receptive endometrial HEC1A cells and reprogram their proteome towards a receptive phenotype that support hTSC spheroid attachment. Moreover, a single dose treatment of NVs significantly enhanced adhesion and spreading of mouse embryo trophoblast on fibronectin matrix. We show functional potential of NVs in enhancing embryo implantation and highlight their rapid and scalable generation, amenable to clinical utility.