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Matrimeres are systemic nanoscale mediators of tissue integrity and function.

Koushik DebnathIrfan QayoomSteven O'DonnellJulia EkiertCan WangMark A SanbornChang LiuAmbar RiveraIk Sung ChoSaiumamaheswari SaichellappaPeter T TothDolly MehtaJalees RehmanXiaoping DuYu GaoJae-Won Shin
Published in: bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology (2024)
Tissue barriers must be rapidly restored after injury to promote regeneration. However, the mechanism behind this process is unclear, particularly in cases where the underlying extracellular matrix is still compromised. Here, we report the discovery of matrimeres as constitutive nanoscale mediators of tissue integrity and function. We define matrimeres as non-vesicular nanoparticles secreted by cells, distinguished by a primary composition comprising at least one matrix protein and DNA molecules serving as scaffolds. Mesenchymal stromal cells assemble matrimeres from fibronectin and DNA within acidic intracellular compartments. Drawing inspiration from this biological process, we have achieved the successful reconstitution of matrimeres without cells. This was accomplished by using purified matrix proteins, including fibronectin and vitronectin, and DNA molecules under optimal acidic pH conditions, guided by the heparin-binding domain and phosphate backbone, respectively. Plasma fibronectin matrimeres circulate in the blood at homeostasis but exhibit a 10-fold decrease during systemic inflammatory injury in vivo . Exogenous matrimeres rapidly restore vascular integrity by actively reannealing endothelial cells post-injury and remain persistent in the host tissue matrix. The scalable production of matrimeres holds promise as a biologically inspired platform for regenerative nanomedicine.
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