Advances in therapies using mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes for treatment of peripheral nerve injury: state of the art and future perspectives

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) are damages outside the brain and spinal cord, leading to impaired movement or sensation. Current treatments are limited, and complete nerve repair is still difficult. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their exosomes show promise for enhancing nerve regeneration and function. Mesenchymal stem cells secrete factors and exosomes that communicate between cells and promote nervous tissue function. Exosomes contain bioactive molecules, offering improvements over cell-based therapies. This review explores the latest preclinical experiments and clinical trials, comparing MSCs and exosomes, and addressing the challenges of using MSC-derived exosomes. This paper reviews the use of mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes in treating peripheral nerve injuries, comparing them and discussing the limitations and future directions of using mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes.

• 1
  MSCs contribute to nerve regeneration via various mechanisms, including differentiating into Schwann cell-like cells, which support axonal growth and clear debris.
• 2
  MSC-exosomes participate in essential processes and provide neuroprotection, making them a possible treatment option for PNI.
• 3
  Nerve conduits provide mechanical support for neural regeneration and, if combined with MSCs, effectively promote neural regeneration and functional recovery.