From clinical exosome analysis to engineered therapy: miR-21-5p-Enriched exosomes reverse thin endometrium via the...

Thin endometrium (TE) is associated with reduced pregnancy rates and adverse obstetric outcomes. While current interventions including hysteroscopic adhesiolysis and hormonal regimens offer partial solutions, functional restoration remains challenging due to the elusive pathogenesis of TE. This work systematically decodes the miRNA landscape of uterine fluid-derived exosomes (UF-Exo) between TE patients and healthy women, uncovering a dramatic downregulation of miR-21-5p (74.0%) and miR-548aa (64.5%) in TE-derived UF-Exo that critically underpins disease progression. Leveraging these insights, a miRNA-reprogramming therapeutics is established based on engineered human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome (hUCMSCs-Exo) that precisely orchestrates endometrial cellular proliferation and angiogenic processes. Through sophisticated bioinformatics analysis, YAP1 is identified as a principal downstream target of miR-21-5p. In murine TE models, miR-21-5p-enriched hUCMSCs-Exo successfully reprograms the miR-21-5p/YAP1 signaling axis, driving extraordinary regenerative outcomes: a remarkable 4.4-fold increase in endometrial thickness, significant suppression of fibrosis, and a considerable 33.6-fold enhancement in vascularization. The platform simultaneously elevates endometrial receptivity (233.3% αvβ3 mRNA upregulation) and recalibrates the inflammatory microenvironment. This work identifies novel diagnostic biomarkers and pioneered an innovative therapeutic approach, thereby offering a potential strategy for improving the clinical management of TE.