Advances in Management of Spinal Cord Injury Using Stem Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles: A Review Study

Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, 2023 · DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.32598/bcn.2022.3430.2 · Published: July 1, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Neurology

Simple Explanation

Human with spinal cord injury (SCI) show serious motor and sensory disability of the limbs. Since there is no an effective treatment for SCI, researchers are trying to develop and find a new therapeutic approach for SCI. CNS tissue engineering with various stem cells sources as well as their derived extracellular vesicle has been extensively attracted for providing reliable and safe approach for SCI treatment. Extracellular vesicles are lipid bilayer membrane-enclosed organelles containing various biomolecules involved in a variety of complex intercellular communication systems.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
MSC-EVs, including exosomes, alone or in combination with scaffolds can can regenerate the injured nerve in SCI.
2
NSC-sEV treatment has been reported to potentially inhibit neuroinflammation, attenuate neuronal apoptosis, reduce microglia activation, and experimentally promote functional recovery at an early stage of SCI by promoting autophagy.
3
P-sEVs reduce pathological changes and improve blood flow, motor function, and oxygen deficiency after SCI.

Research Summary

This study summarizes the efficacy of MSC-EVs, including exosomes, alone or in combination with scaffolds in the treatment of SCI and then discusses the therapeutic outcomes observed in SCI experimental models following treatment with MSC-EVs alone or loaded on scaffolds in particular collagen-based scaffolds. Although treating SCI has been extensively studied, no effective strategy has yet been found to restore lost function. Exosomes derived from stem cells alone or loaded on various biocompatible scaffolds, such as collagen hydrogel or other ECM-based scaffolds can be considered good drug carriers that have great potential for the treatment of SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Stem cell-derived exosomes show promise in treating spinal cord injuries through various mechanisms like anti-inflammation and promoting axon formation.

Drug Delivery Systems

Exosomes can be used as effective carriers for delivering miRNAs and other therapeutic agents to the SCI site.

Clinical Translation

Further research and clinical trials are needed to translate the findings into effective treatments for SCI patients.

Study Limitations

1
The pathological process of SCI being very complex.
2
A complete effective strategy has yet to be found for treatment of SCI in human.
3
At present, no clinical trials of MSC-sEVs have been conducted to regenerate the SCI.

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