The Emerging Role of Exosomes in the Treatment of Human Disorders With a Special Focus on Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Exosomes

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology, 2021 · DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.653296 · Published: July 7, 2021

Simple Explanation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play significant roles in cell communication, inflammation, and tissue regeneration. Exosomes, derived from mesenchymal stem cells, offer a therapeutic option for human diseases due to their lower risk of tumor formation and easier production compared to cell therapy. This review focuses on the therapeutic impacts of EVs in various conditions, including liver fibrosis, lung disorders, osteoarthritis, colitis, myocardial injury, spinal cord injury, and retinal injury.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Review

Key Findings

1
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes can reduce infarct size in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, implicating them in tissue repair.
2
In spinal cord injury models, bone marrow-MSC-derived EVs decreased brain cell death and improved motor function.
3
MSC-miR-92a-3p exosomes have stimulated cartilage proliferation and increased expressions of matrix genes in an MSC model of chondrogenesis and in primary human chondrocytes

Research Summary

Extracellular vesicles are beneficial tools for delivering biomolecules in regenerative medicine, with a lower risk of complications compared to cell therapy. MSCs are a favorable source for cell-based therapy due to their differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory features. The long half-life and ability to penetrate cell membranes potentiate exosomes as candidates for therapeutic applications, and their lack of recognition as foreign bodies by the immune system makes them more appropriate.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Delivery

EVs, particularly exosomes, can be used as vehicles for delivering therapeutic molecules to specific cells or tissues.

Treatment Modalities

EVs have the potential to ameliorate damaged tissues and improve tissue organization, offering new avenues for treating various disorders.

Clinical Translation

Further research is needed to assess the applicability of EV-based techniques in medical practice.

Study Limitations

1
Lack of knowledge in cargo trafficking pathways of EVs limits application of EVs in treatment of human disorders.
2
Lack of segregation of the therapeutic effects of “cells” versus “cell-derived EVs” is a limitation of a number of studies in this field.
3
Majority of studies have been conducted in experimental models.

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