Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes loaded into a composite conduit promote functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury in rats

Peripheral nerve injuries are hard to treat completely. The study uses exosomes from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells because they help cells communicate and regenerate tissues. They are put into a special tube made of collagen and hyaluronic acid, which is good for nerve cells to grow on. This tube, called a 3D composite conduit, is tested to see if it works with the exosomes to fix nerve damage. The results show that using the tube with the exosomes helps nerves regenerate and restores movement, similar to using a nerve from the patient's own body. The study finds more blood vessel cells in the repaired nerve when using the tube with exosomes, which helps the nerve grow back and reconnect. This new method could be a good way to treat peripheral nerve injuries without needing cells.

• 1
  Transplantation of the 3D composite conduit loaded with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes promoted peripheral nerve regeneration and restoration of motor function, similar to autograft transplantation.
• 2
  More CD31-positive endothelial cells were observed in the regenerated nerve after transplantation of the loaded conduit than after transplantation of the conduit without exosomes, which may have contributed to the observed increase in axon regeneration and distal nerve reconnection.
• 3
  Treatment with hUCMSC-derived exosomes reduced abnormal deposition of collagen fibers in rats, which is consistent with the motor function recovery results.