Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 4, 2026

Live Cell Imaging of the TGF- β/Smad3 Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo Using an Adenovirus Reporter System
11:06

Live Cell Imaging of the TGF- β/Smad3 Signaling Pathway In Vitro and In Vivo Using an Adenovirus Reporter System

Published on: July 30, 2018

11.1K

Rosmarinic Acid-Treated Exosomes Modulate TGF-β1/Smad3 Signaling to Alleviate Cardiac Fibrosis in an In Vitro/In Vivo

Zahra Mansouri1, Mahin Dianat1, Mohammad Badavi1

  • 1Persian Gulf Physiology Research Center, Medical Basic Sciences Research Institute, and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

FASEB Journal : Official Publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
|February 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Rosmarinic acid-primed exosomes effectively combat cardiac fibrosis after myocardial injury. This novel therapy improves heart function by reducing oxidative stress and collagen deposition, offering a promising treatment for heart failure.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Biology
  • Regenerative Medicine
  • Stem Cell Therapy

Background:

  • Cardiac fibrosis (CF) is a significant complication of myocardial infarction (MI), leading to impaired heart function and heart failure.
  • Rosmarinic acid (RA) demonstrates cardioprotective and antifibrotic effects, making it a potential therapeutic agent for CF.
  • Exosomes derived from adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) show therapeutic potential, but their efficacy can be enhanced.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of exosomes derived from RA-primed ADSCs (RA-MSC-Exo) in mitigating cardiac fibrosis.
  • To investigate how RA-priming enhances the antioxidant and antifibrotic capacity of ADSC-derived exosomes.
  • To assess the therapeutic potential of RA-MSC-Exo in an Isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury model.

Main Methods:

  • Established an in vitro (H9C2 cardiomyoblasts) and in vivo (Wistar rats) ISO-induced myocardial injury model.
  • Treated cells and rats with exosomes (Exo) or RA-primed exosomes (RA-MSC-Exo).
  • Assessed cell viability, apoptosis, cardiac biomarkers, oxidative stress (ROS, TAC), cardiac function (echocardiography), fibrosis signaling pathways (NF-κB, TGF-β1, Smad3), and collagen deposition (histology).

Main Results:

  • Both Exo and RA-MSC-Exo treatments improved cell viability and reduced apoptosis in vitro.
  • In vivo, both treatments significantly reduced cardiac biomarkers, decreased ROS, and enhanced TAC levels.
  • RA-MSC-Exo and Exo interventions downregulated NF-κB, TGF-β1, Smad3, and Collagen I, attenuated collagen deposition, and improved cardiac function.

Conclusions:

  • RA-primed exosomes effectively mitigate cardiac fibrosis and improve cardiac function in a myocardial ischemia model.
  • RA-priming enhances the antioxidant and antifibrotic properties of ADSC-derived exosomes.
  • This targeted exosome therapy presents a promising strategy for managing myocardial injury and preventing heart failure.

Keywords:
Rosmarinic acidSMAD3TGF‐β1cardiac fibrosisexosome

More Related Videos

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells06:54

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells

Published on: October 27, 2020

14.4K
Author Spotlight: Advancing 3D Coculture Systems with PVA-PCL Nanofibrous Membranes10:08

Author Spotlight: Advancing 3D Coculture Systems with PVA-PCL Nanofibrous Membranes

Published on: December 27, 2024

833

Related Concept Videos

TGF - β Signaling Pathway01:16

TGF - β Signaling Pathway

The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors...
10.5K
Small-signal Diode Model01:18

Small-signal Diode Model

In analyzing the behavior of diodes in circuits, the relationship between the current through a diode and the voltage across it is of particular interest, especially when considering the effect of a direct current (DC) bias voltage. When applied, this DC bias influences the diode's operating point, known as the Q point, around which the current-voltage (I-V) characteristic of the diode exhibits exponential behavior. Introducing a small, time-varying signal on top of this bias aids in examining...
1.6K
Equivalence: In Vitro and In Vivo Bioequivalence01:17

Equivalence: In Vitro and In Vivo Bioequivalence

Body:Bioequivalence studies are crucial in evaluating whether new drugs can match an approved one regarding pharmacological effects and clinical performance. These studies test if drugs, despite different dosage forms, share identical plasma concentration-time profiles. Three types of equivalence are central to these studies: chemical, pharmaceutical, and therapeutic. Chemical equivalence indicates that two or more drug products contain identical active ingredients in equal amounts.
229
Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation,...
874
Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
3.7K
Cystic Fibrosis: Management01:24

Cystic Fibrosis: Management

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disorder that predominantly affects individuals of Northern European descent, occurring at a rate of 1 in 3500. It is caused by a genetic mutation in a gene on chromosome 7, most commonly the ΔF508 mutation, that codes for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. This results in thicker mucus secretions and obstruction pathologies in multiple organs, including the lungs and sinuses.
Sinus disease and chronic...
541