Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: From mechanisms to therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Regenerative medicine
• Cardiovascular science

Background:

• Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge with high mortality and economic impact.
• Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic potential, but research is shifting towards their secreted exosomes (MSC-exosomes) for cell-free therapy.
• MSC-exosomes are increasingly recognized for their therapeutic benefits in various CVDs due to favorable characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the biological properties of MSC-exosomes.
• To explore the mechanisms by which MSC-exosomes facilitate therapeutic repair in CVDs.
• To summarize the recent advancements in MSC-exosome efficacy for CVD treatment and discuss future clinical potential.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on MSC-exosomes and their application in CVDs.
• Analysis of the biological characteristics and therapeutic mechanisms of MSC-exosomes.
• Synthesis of recent research findings on MSC-exosome efficacy in preclinical and clinical settings.

Main Results:

• MSC-exosomes exhibit superior stability, biocompatibility, and lower toxicity/immunogenicity compared to MSC transplantation.
• MSC-exosomes effectively treat atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, heart failure, ischemia/reperfusion injury, aneurysm, and stroke.
• Key therapeutic actions include apoptosis inhibition, inflammation regulation, cardiac remodeling amelioration, and angiogenesis promotion.

Conclusions:

• MSC-exosomes represent a potent cell-free therapeutic strategy for a range of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.
• Their inherent biological characteristics and reparative functions position them as a promising candidate for future clinical translation.
• Further research into MSC-exosome mechanisms and efficacy will pave the way for novel CVD treatments.