Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 11, 2026

Author Spotlight: Tracing the Ferroptotic Signatures and Cell Death Dynamics in Medulloblastoma for Advanced Therapeutics
Published on: March 15, 2024
Microvascular Endothelial Cell-Derived Exosomes Decrease Osteoclastogenesis by Restraining Osteoclast Ferroptosis
Yajun Liu1, Chen Xu1, Zhaodong Wang1
1Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China; and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Tissue Transplantation, Bengbu Medical University, Bengbu, Anhui, China.
Abstract:
Exosomes (EXOs), released by diverse cells are implicated in modulating ferroptosis under orthopedic conditions. However, the possible effects of EXOs in osteoclasts and the interaction mechanisms with ferroptosis remain poorly defined. The EXOs were isolated and identified from skeletal muscle microvascular endothelial cells (MMECs). Osteoclasts was generated using RAW264.7 cells stimulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), followed by EXO treatment. The effects of EXOs and USP13 overexpression during osteoclastogenesis and on osteoclasts ferroptosis were determined. EXO treatment declined the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive numbers and osteoclast-specific genes expression in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, elevated ferrous iron, malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, downregulated nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression were found in response to RANKL, which were restricted after EXO treatment. Mechanistically, USP13 was carried out by EXOs and transferred to osteoclasts. USP13 overexpression exerted the suppressive role of RANKL stimulation on osteoclastogenesis and ferroptosis critical hallmarks, while augmented the activation of NRF2/GPX4 pathway. Our research revealed that MMECs-derived exosomal USP13 exhibited the anti-osteoclastogenesis effects by regulating ferroptosis. This may be a useful therapeutic target for the prevention and treatment of osteolytic diseases.
Related Concept Videos
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Overview of Exosomes
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
