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Sci Adv
. 2026 Jul 31;12(31):eadr9135.
doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr9135. Epub 2026 Jul 31.
sPLA2-reacted extracellular vesicles (SPLEVs) as a therapeutic modality for cytokine storm syndromes
Shunya Nakayama 1 2 3 , Akane Kanamori 3 4 , Takeshi Kamakura 4 , Kosuke Kamiya 5 , Kai Kudo 5 , Ryo Yanagiya 1 , Takanobu Shimizu 5 , Yoshimi Miki 6 , Yuki Nagasaki 6 , Masaya Araki 7 , Koichiro Tateishi 8 , Yoko Ito 9 , Yoshiki Shiraishi 9 , Yasushi Nakamoto 5 , Hiroyuki Hosokawa 10 , Yumi Matsuzaki 11 , Hitoshi Shimano 7 , Koichiro Asano 9 , Norio Yamamoto 8 , Makoto Murakami 6 , Ai Kotani 4 10
Affiliations
Because cytokine storm syndromes such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and coagulopathy, including those seen in COVID-19, are fatal, development of highly effective therapeutics is urgently needed. Recent evidence suggests that the hydrolysis of phospholipids in extracellular vesicles (EVs) by secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) can augment the ability of EVs to modulate inflammation, allergy, and cancer. We aimed to apply this phenomenon technically using "sPLA2-reacted EVs (SPLEVs)," which showed high therapeutic efficacies against ARDS and other diseases. Mechanistically, SPLEVs bind to type II alveolar epithelial cells, increase membrane fluidity by reorganizing phospholipid building blocks with more polyunsaturated fatty acids through the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 pathway, and elicit "lipid counterstorm" by increasing tissue-protective lipid mediators. The potent therapeutic effects of SPLEVs depend partly on sPLA2-driven generation of lysophosphatidylglycerol. Thus, SPLEVs are expected to be an effective therapeutic tool for treatment of broad ranges of inflammatory diseases including COVID-19 and other new pandemic diseases.
. 2026 Jul 31;12(31):eadr9135.
doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adr9135. Epub 2026 Jul 31.
sPLA2-reacted extracellular vesicles (SPLEVs) as a therapeutic modality for cytokine storm syndromes
Shunya Nakayama 1 2 3 , Akane Kanamori 3 4 , Takeshi Kamakura 4 , Kosuke Kamiya 5 , Kai Kudo 5 , Ryo Yanagiya 1 , Takanobu Shimizu 5 , Yoshimi Miki 6 , Yuki Nagasaki 6 , Masaya Araki 7 , Koichiro Tateishi 8 , Yoko Ito 9 , Yoshiki Shiraishi 9 , Yasushi Nakamoto 5 , Hiroyuki Hosokawa 10 , Yumi Matsuzaki 11 , Hitoshi Shimano 7 , Koichiro Asano 9 , Norio Yamamoto 8 , Makoto Murakami 6 , Ai Kotani 4 10
Affiliations
- PMID: 42536729
- PMCID: PMC13426417
- DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adr9135
Because cytokine storm syndromes such as sepsis, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and coagulopathy, including those seen in COVID-19, are fatal, development of highly effective therapeutics is urgently needed. Recent evidence suggests that the hydrolysis of phospholipids in extracellular vesicles (EVs) by secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) can augment the ability of EVs to modulate inflammation, allergy, and cancer. We aimed to apply this phenomenon technically using "sPLA2-reacted EVs (SPLEVs)," which showed high therapeutic efficacies against ARDS and other diseases. Mechanistically, SPLEVs bind to type II alveolar epithelial cells, increase membrane fluidity by reorganizing phospholipid building blocks with more polyunsaturated fatty acids through the sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 pathway, and elicit "lipid counterstorm" by increasing tissue-protective lipid mediators. The potent therapeutic effects of SPLEVs depend partly on sPLA2-driven generation of lysophosphatidylglycerol. Thus, SPLEVs are expected to be an effective therapeutic tool for treatment of broad ranges of inflammatory diseases including COVID-19 and other new pandemic diseases.