Extracellular vesicles from skin precursor-derived Schwann cells promote axonal outgrowth and regeneration of motoneurons via Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway

This study investigates the potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from skin precursor-derived Schwann cells (SKP-SCs) to promote nerve regeneration, particularly in motoneurons. The researchers used in vitro and in vivo models of nerve injury, including axotomy and oxygen-glucose deprivation, to simulate damage to motoneurons and examined the effect of SKP-SC-EVs on axonal outgrowth and regrowth. The study also explored the underlying molecular mechanism, focusing on the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway, which is known to play a role in cell growth and survival.

• 1
  SKP-SC-EVs can be internalized by neuronal cells both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that they can deliver their cargo to the target cells.
• 2
  SKP-SC-EVs promote axonal outgrowth and regrowth in motoneurons, both in normal conditions and after injury induced by axotomy or oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD).
• 3
  The pro-regenerative effect of SKP-SC-EVs is associated with the activation of the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway, which can be abolished by rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor.