Human mesenchymal stem-derived extracellular vesicles improve body growth and motor function following severe spinal cord injury in rat

Clinical and Translational Medicine, 2023 · DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1284 · Published: May 21, 2023

Spinal Cord Injury Genetics Regenerative Medicine & Stem Cells

Simple Explanation

Spinal cord injuries in young adults can lead to disabilities and stunted growth. This study investigates if extracellular vesicles from stem cells can help. The study found that intravenous delivery of these vesicles improved both motor function and body growth in rats with spinal cord injuries. The vesicles seem to work by modulating the immune system and growth-related hormones.

Study Duration

10 weeks

Participants

Young adult male Sprague–Dawley rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Intravenous delivery of human and rat MSC-sEVs improved functional motor recovery after SCI and restored normal body growth in young adult SCI rats.
2
Human MSC-sEVs were selectively taken up by M2 macrophages in vivo and in vitro.
3
Infusion of human or rat MSC-sEVs resulted in an increase in the proportion of M2 macrophages and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines at the injury site.

Research Summary

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of intravenous delivery of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) on body growth and motor recovery following severe SCI in young adult rats. The results showed that an IV delivery of both human and rat MSC-sEVs improved functional motor recovery after SCI and restored normal body growth in young adult SCI rats. The study concludes that both human and rat MSC-sEVs promote the recovery of body growth and motor function after SCI in young adult rats possibly via the cytokine modulation of growth-related hormonal pathways.

Practical Implications

Therapeutic Potential

MSC-sEVs treatment has the potential to improve functional motor recovery and enhance body growth in young SCI patients.

Lack of Species Specificity

A lack of species specificity for MSC-sEV therapeutic efficacy was observed.

Alternative to Cell Therapy

MSC-sEV treatment represents a potentially attractive alternative to IV MSC therapy because of their smaller size and lower risk of embolism.

Study Limitations

1
Other cells in the spinal cord may have taken up exosomes below our threshold of detection.
2
We have not yet examined the potential uptake of exosomes in the hypothalamus/pituitary gland or other hormone-producing systems.
3
Autofluorescence in the spleen made the potential uptake of exosomes in this tissue inconclusive.

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