We have collected the most exciting new research in the field of genetics and cellular reserach.
The recent progress of tumor cell-derived exosomes in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapeutic strategies of tumors
Abstract
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles of nanoscale, which represent the characteristics of the cells of origin. Tumor cell-derived exosomes (TEXs) obtain the characteristics of the tumor cells, which meanwhile transfer the various substances from the tumor cells to regulate the other cells and microenvironments. TEXs play an important role in the pathogenesis of tumors, which can promote the progression, metastasis and recurrence of tumors. Furthermore, TEXs also facilitate chemotherapy resistance and radiotherapy resistance of tumors. TEXs can be applied as biomarkers for the diagnosis of tumors as well as the differentiation of the subtypes and stages of tumors. TEXs also can be used in the evaluation of the prognosis and chemotherapy/radiotherapy resistance of tumors. For tumor therapy, TEXs can be utilized as potential targets, delivery carriers and tumor vaccines to hinder tumor progression. This review highlights the recent advances in the research and application of TEXs, which provides new ideas for the understanding and control of tumor diseases.
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Systematic review of exosomes derived from various stem cell sources: function and therapeutic potential in disease modulation
Abstract
Exosomes, nanosized extracellular vesicles ranging from 30 to 150 nm, are secreted by all cell types through the endocytic pathway and have emerged as promising candidates for both biomarkers and therapeutic agents due to their capability to transport bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. This intercellular communication facilitates numerous biological processes, including cellular signaling, immune modulation, and tissue regeneration. Despite their therapeutic potential, a comprehensive understanding of the diverse functions and clinical applications of exosomes remains limited, representing a significant gap in the current biomedical literature. To address this, we conducted a systematic analysis of 27 relevant studies examining exosome applications across various medical fields including neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular conditions, cancer therapy, regenerative medicine, autoimmune disorders, inflammatory diseases, and respiratory ailments. Our findings demonstrate that exosomes actively participate in immune regulation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair mechanisms. However, several challenges must be overcome to translate these findings into clinical practice, such as establishing standardized large-scale production methods, achieving precise cargo loading and targeted delivery, and ensuring safety regarding immunogenicity and biodistribution. In conclusion, our study highlights the critical role of exosomes as leading cell-free therapeutic tools and underscores the necessity for further research to validate their potential as substitutes for cell-based therapies, thereby advancing innovative, non-cellular treatment strategies in clinical medicine.
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Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: Shaping the next era of Alzheimer’s disease treatment
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifaceted neurodegenerative disease for which effective disease-modifying therapies are lacking. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach due to their unique biological functions and favorable biocompatibility. This review systematically explores the mechanism of action of MSC-Exos in AD therapy, including the removal of β-amyloid via the delivery of degradative enzymes, modulation of neuroinflammation, and promotion of neural regeneration. Meanwhile, this paper summarizes recent advances in preclinical and clinical studies, and analyzes the challenges in production standardization, safety assessment, and long-term efficacy validation of exosome therapies. Finally, several innovative strategies are proposed to enhance the therapeutic potential of MSC-Exos, including exosome functionalization and targeting optimization, gene editing techniques. This aims to promote the translation of exosomes from basic research to clinical application.
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Exosomes Derived From Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mitigate Follicular Interstitial Cell Ferroptosis via the miR-26a-5p/PTEN/GPX4 Axis in Rats with Chemotherapy-Induced Premature Ovarian Insufficiency
Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a persistent condition in young women characterized by early follicular development disorders and reduced fertility. Research has found that exosomes derived from human umbilical mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSC-Exo) have significant tissue repair effects. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and potential molecular mechanism of hUCMSC-Exo on POI.
Methods: In vivo experiments were conducted by intraperitoneally injecting the chemotherapy drug cyclophosphamide (CTX) to establish a 14-day POI rat model. Serum hormone levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and changes in ovarian tissue structure were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Perls staining and transmission electron microscopy were used to assess changes in ovarian ferroptosis. In vitro experiments involved exposing theca interna cells (TICs) treated with CTX to normal and miR-26a-5p inhibitor-treated hUCMSC-Exo. The expression changes of PTEN, Nrf2, and GPX4, which are associated with ferroptosis, were analyzed using immunofluorescence, Western blot, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.
Results: hUCMSC-Exo intervention can significantly repair the ovarian tissue structure and functional abnormalities in the model rats, especially ferroptosis. Further bioinformatics analysis revealed that the inhibition of the PTEN/GPX4 pathway-mediated ferroptosis in TICs might be the main mechanism through which exosomes exert their regulatory/therapeutic effects. In vitro experiments, where exosome miR-26a-5p was inhibited, further confirmed that the delivery of miR-26a-5p is crucial for the regulatory effect of exosomes.
Conclusion: In conclusion, our results suggest that hUCMSC-Exos alleviates POI-related dysfunction of ovarian structure and function. The mechanism could be related to the transfers of miR-26a-5p and suppression of PTEN/GPX4 axis signaling-mediated autophagy of TICs. It provides a new perspective for developing treatment methods for patients with metabolic abnormalities related to POI.
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