Role of Glycans in Equine Endometrial Cell Uptake of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Amniotic Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of cell-cell communication thanks to their ability to transfer their bioactive cargo, thus regulating a variety of physiological contexts. EVs derived from amniotic mesenchymal/stromal cells (eAMC-EVs) are internalized by equine endometrial cells (eECs) with positive effects on regenerative medicine treatments. As the cellular uptake of EVs is influenced by the glycan profile of both EVs and target cells, this study is focused on the role of surface glycans in the uptake of eAMC-EVs by recipient eECs. Equine ECs were obtained by enzymatic digestion of uteri from healthy mares. Equine AMC-EVs were isolated from amniotic cell cultures according to a standardized protocol. The glycan pattern was studied using a panel of lectins in combination with fucosidase and neuraminidase treatment. Both eECs and eAMC-EVs expressed N-linked high mannose glycans, as well as fucosylated and sialylated glycans. All these glycans were involved in the uptake of eAMC-EVs by eECs. The internalization of eAMC-EVs was strongly reduced after cleavage of alpha 1,2-linked fucose and alpha 2,3/alpha 2,6-linked sialic acids. These results demonstrate that surface glycans are involved in the internalization of eAMC-EVs by eECs and that fucosylated and sialylated glycans are highly relevant in the transfer of bioactive molecules with effects on regenerative medicine treatments.