Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes as an Emerging Paradigm for Regenerative Therapy and Nano-Medicine: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Mesenchymal Stem Cells are potent therapeutic candidates in the field of regenerative medicine, owing to their immunomodulatory and differentiation potential. However, several complications come with their translational application like viability, duration, and degree of expansion, long-term storage, and high maintenance cost. Therefore, drawbacks of cell-based therapy can be overcome by a novel therapeutic modality emerging in translational research and application, i.e., exosomes. These small vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells are emerging as new avenues in the field of nano-medicine. These nano-vesicles have caught the attention of researchers with their potency as regenerative medicine both in nanotherapeutics and drug delivery systems. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge in the biology and handling of exosomes, with their limitations and future applications. Additionally, we highlight current perspectives that primarily focus on their effect on various diseases and their potential as a drug delivery vehicle.

A “cell-free treatment” for tendon injuries: adipose stem cell-derived exosomes

“…Due to the multiple strengths of adipose tissue, exosomes secreted by adipose-derived stem cells are more applicable to the treatment of the post-tendon injury. Extensive studies have established that ADSC-Exos can be effective in a wide range of diseases, especially cardiac, renal, neurological, and musculoskeletal disorders [ 30 , 81 ]. The aspects of exosomes that play a role in distinct diseases include the following: accelerating skin wound healing, promoting immune system regulation, treating osteoarthritis, etc.…”

“…The actions of ADSC-Exos in the healing process of tendon injuries are divided into four main parts: the effects of ADSC-Exos in the healing process of tendon injury are divided into four main components: facilitating angiogenesis, diminishing the inflammatory response, fostering the proliferation and migration of tendon cells, and speeding up collagen synthesis [ 26 , 28 , 30 , 82 ].…”

“…It has been suggested that ASC-Exos play a pivotal role in a wide range of physiological or pathological processes in tendons, especially in the immune response, apoptosis, and tendon repair, which are of direct relevance to the mechanical properties of tendons [ 26 – 28 ]. Additionally, there are already manifold studies expressing their apparent effect in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, because ASC-Exos can markedly raise the survival rate of human neuroblastoma cells, and in some long-term diseases we can use ASC-Exos as an emerging treatment modality [ 29 , 30 ]. Moreover, the primary mechanisms of ASC-Exos for tendon repair involve the following aspects: the promotion of angiogenesis, the proliferation and migration of tenocytes, the production of anti-inflammatory factors, the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis, and the synthesis of collagen [ 19 , 28 , 31 , 32 ].…”

MSCs derived extracellular vesicles as a therapeutic paragon for neurodegenerative disorders: A viewpoint

“…The most popular stem cell types considered for cell therapy include Embryonic Stem Cells, induced Pluripotent Stem Cells, and Adult Multipotent Stem Cells, like Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). Due to the complex ethical concerns intervening in the use of the former, MSCs and their derivatives are now gaining the spotlight (Panda et al, 2021). MSCs are adult multipotent stem cells that can be derived from various sources for instance Bone Marrow, Wharton's Jelly, Adipose Tissue and Dental pulp (Singh et al, 2017).…”

“…This can be done by the aid of biotechnological and bioengineering techniques which can, for example, be used to modify their surface markers for a targeted delivery. Additionally, their vesicular membrane bound structure can be utilized for encapsulation of drugs in order to employ them as a drug delivery vehicle (Panda et al, 2021). However this field requires extensive research and an ADME database as suggested by Baek et al (2019), should be established.…”