IL-23 Priming Enhances the Neuroprotective Effects of MSC-Derived Exosomes in Treating Retinal Degeneration

Neuroinflammation is a characteristic feature of neurodegenerative diseases. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exo) have shown neuroprotective effects through immunoregulation, but the therapeutic efficacy remains unsatisfactory. This study aims to enhance the neuroprotective capacity of MSC-exo through IL-23 priming for treating retinal degeneration in mice.

MSC were primed with IL-23 stimulation in vitro, and subsequently, exosomes (MSC-exo and IL-23-MSC-exo) were isolated and characterized. Two retinal degenerative disease models (NaIO3-induced mice and rd10 mice) received intravitreal injections of these exosomes. The efficacy of exosomes was assessed by examining retinal structural and functional recovery. Furthermore, exosomal microRNA (miRNA) sequencing was conducted, and the effects of exosomes on the M1 and M2 microglial phenotype shift were evaluated.

IL-23-primed MSC-derived exosomes (IL-23-MSC-exo) exhibited enhanced capability in protecting photoreceptor cells and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells against degenerative damage and fostering the restoration of retinal neural function in both NaIO3-induced retinal degeneration mice and rd10 mice when compared with MSC-exo. The exosomal miRNA suppression via Drosha knockdown in IL-23-primed MSC would abolish the neuroprotective role of IL-23-MSC-exo, highlighting the miRNA-dependent mechanism. Bioinformatic analysis, along with further in vivo biological studies, revealed that IL-23 priming induced a set of anti-inflammatory miRNAs in MSC-exo, prompting the transition of M1 to M2 microglial polarization.

IL-23 priming presents as a potential avenue for amplifying the immunomodulatory and neuroprotective effects of MSC-exo in treating retinal degeneration.