Schwann cells-derived exosomes promote functional recovery after spinal cord injury by promoting angiogenesis

Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, 2023 · DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1077071 · Published: January 4, 2023

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the potential of Schwann cell-derived exosomes (SCs-Exos) to aid in recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI). Exosomes are tiny vesicles that facilitate communication between cells. The research found that SCs-Exos can be absorbed by brain-derived endothelial cells, encouraging their growth, movement, and tube formation. These exosomes also contain Integrin-β1, a molecule that promotes angiogenesis. In a SCI model, SCs-Exos were shown to lessen tissue damage, improve functional recovery, and stimulate angiogenesis. The pro-angiogenic effect of SCs-Exos was found to rely on Integrin-β1.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

40 adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats (180–220 g)

Evidence Level

Original Research

Key Findings

1
SCs-Exos are absorbed by brain-derived endothelial cells (bEnd.3), promoting their proliferation, migration, and tube formation.
2
Integrin-β1, a pro-angiogenesis molecule, is highly expressed in SCs-Exos and is required for SCs-Exos-induced angiogenesis.
3
SCs-Exos treatment in SCI rats attenuated tissue damage, promoted angiogenesis, and improved neurological functional recovery, with Integrin-β1 playing a crucial role.

Research Summary

The study aimed to explore the neuroprotective effect of Schwann cells-derived exosomes (SCs-Exos) on spinal cord injury (SCI). The researchers found that SCs-Exos can be directly taken up by brain-derived endothelial cells and promoted their proliferation, migration and tube formation. The results showed that the pro-angiogenesis molecules, Integrin-β1, were highly expressed in SCs-Exos. Inhibiting the expression of integrin-β1 in SCs-Exos suppressed the pro-angiogenic effect of SCs-Exos on bEnd.3 cells. In the SCI model, SCs-Exos attenuated tissue damage and improved functional recovery after SCI. The study concludes that SCs-Exos promote angiogenesis by delivering integrin-β1 and may serve as a promising novel therapeutic agent for enhancing neurological functional recovery after SCI.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

SCs-Exos may serve as a novel therapeutic agent for enhancing neurological functional recovery after SCI.

Angiogenesis Promotion

SCs-Exos promote angiogenesis by delivering integrin-β1.

Targeted Therapy

Upregulation of integrin-β1 in SCs-Exos may serve as a new potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of SCI.

Study Limitations

1
The pro-angiogenesis effect of SCs-Exos was not completely blocked by integrin-β1 inhibition, suggesting other molecules are involved.
2
The role of other molecules in mediating the effect of SCs-Exos on promoting angiogenesis needs to be further investigated.
3
Not specified

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