Exosomes secreted from sonic hedgehog-modified bone mesenchymal stem cells facilitate the repair of rat spinal cord injuries

Acta Neurochirurgica, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-021-04829-9 · Published: April 5, 2021

Spinal Cord Injury Regenerative Medicine Genetics

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) can cause a loss of neurons and associated sensory and motor functionality below the injured site. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that hold promise as a potential therapeutic modality when treating such injuries. The present study was thus designed to determine whether sonic hedgehog (Shh)-overexpressing bone mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC)-derived exosomes were protective in the context of SCIs.

Study Duration

28 days

Participants

40 male Sprague-Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Both BMSC-Exo and BMSC-Shh-Exo preparations significantly increased Shh expression in the spinal cord of SCI model rats and improved BBB scores in these treated animals.
2
BMSC-Shh-Exos were more beneficial than were control BMSC-Exos.
3
Shh-overexpressing BMSC-derived exosomes represent an effective treatment that can facilitate SCI repair in rats.

Research Summary

Herein, we found that BMSC-Shh-Exos were able to effectively protect rats against SCI-associated pathology by promoting neuronal functional recovery, survival, and by inhibiting the excessive activation of astrocytes. Overall, we found that injecting exosomes derived from Shh-overexpressing BMSCs into SCI model rats was sufficient to facilitate neuronal repair within the spinal cord of treated animals through mechanisms that may be linked to the activation of the Shh signaling pathway. BMSC-Shh-Exos may thus represent a viable approach to the treatment of SCIs.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Shh-overexpressing BMSC-derived exosomes show promise as a treatment for spinal cord injuries.

Mechanism Elucidation

The study suggests that the therapeutic effects may be linked to the activation of the Shh signaling pathway, inhibition of astrocyte activation, and promotion of axon regeneration.

Future Research

Future in vitro experiments are needed to validate and expand upon the findings of this study.

Exosomes secreted from sonic hedgehog-modified bone mesenchymal stem cells facilitate the repair of rat spinal cord injuries

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Mechanism Elucidation

Future Research

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Exosomes secreted from sonic hedgehog-modified bone mesenchymal stem cells facilitate the repair of rat spinal cord injuries

Simple Explanation

Key Findings

Research Summary

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

Mechanism Elucidation

Future Research

Study Limitations

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?