MARIEKE ROEFS, MSC.

PhD Candidate 
Extracellular vesicles | Cell Biology | In vivo studies

My research is focused on unravelling extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated cardioprotection. EVs are small, cell-derived lipid bilayer enclosed particles that play a role in intercellular communication. EVs secreted by cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) have been shown to protect the myocardium against ischemia/reperfusion injury in several preclinical models. However, the underlying mechanisms for CPC-EV-mediated cardioprotection remain elusive. The aim of my PhD is to unravel the underlying mechanisms of the regenerative properties of CPC-EVs in the heart. Additionally, we focus on improving the application of CPC-EVs as therapeutic by studying their properties in different in vitro and in vivo models.

Publications:

Ortega, F. G., Roefs, M. T., de Miguel Perez, D., Kooijmans, S. A., de Jong, O. G., Sluijter, J. P., Vader, P. (2019). Interfering with endolysosomal trafficking enhances release of bioactive exosomes. Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine, 20, 102014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nano.2019.102014

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E-mail: M.T.H.Roefs@umcutrecht.nl