Lecture 'Meet the jury: Unraveling the secrets of the stem cell secretome'

The secretome is defined as the global group of bioactive factors secreted by cells regulating a variety of biological and physiological process, thus, making it a clinically relevant source to identify potential therapeutics. The Van de Walle lab studies the effects of the secretome of multipotent adult stem cells (mesenchymal stem cells and mammary stem/progenitor cells) from animals of veterinary importance, using in vitro 2D cell lines and 3D explant/organoid models, as well as in vivo models (mouse and large animal models).

This seminar gives an overview of past and ongoing studies showing the stem cell secretome has regenerative, anti-microbial, immunomodulatory, and even anti-cancer properties, and presents several biologically active molecules responsible for these effects. Methods to minimize variation between stem cell cultures and to promote a secretome with enhanced activity will aid in optimizing this secretome as a therapy in veterinary, and potentially human, medicine.