Investigating the Therapeutic Utility of Human Amniotic Epithelial Cell-derived Exosomes in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs), is an incurable and often fatal disease. It is more prevalent in females yet more severe in males. Existing drugs provide only partial relief and do not target the underlying cause of the disease. This thesis provided new insight into the use of a pre-clinical model of pulmonary hypertension to simulate the human condition in both males and females. Using this model, tiny cell-derived structures (exosomes) from human placenta, were shown to reduce lung blood pressure and inflammation. This exciting discovery offers new hope for the treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension.