Exosomes from magnetic particles-primed mesenchymal stem cells enhance neural differentiation of PC12 cells

This study aimed to investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cell exosomes loaded with Fe₃O₄ magnetic particles (Fe₃O₄@ MSC-exo) on the survival and neural differentiation of PC12 cells. Exosomes were separated from Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles-primed umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells condition medium by ultracentrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, flow nano analysis, and western blotting. PC12 cells were treated with culture medium containing exosomes. The effects of Fe₃O₄@ MSC-exo on PC12 cell proliferation, migration, and neural differentiation were analyzed using CCK-8 assay, transwell migration assay, RT-qPCR, and immunofluorescence, respectively. Additionally, miRNA sequencing was performed on Fe₃O₄@ MSC-exo, followed by bioinformatic analysis of the results. We found that Fe₃O₄@ MSC-exo can promote PC12 cell proliferation, migration, and neural differentiation. According to the sequencing results, there were a total of 43 differentially expressed miRNAs. The present study indicated that Fe₃O₄@ MSC-exo might enhance nerve cell function, laying the foundation for targeted therapy of nerve injury.