Exosomes derived from miR-544-modified mesenchymal stem cells promote recovery after spinal cord injury
Chenggang Li, Li Xiao, Bichun Zhao, Chunfang Wang
Abstract
Recent evidence has demonstrated that exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may serve as a reservoir of miRNAs conferring protection from certain diseases. Hence, the current study was performed with the aim of investigating whether MSCs-exosomal miR-544 could exert protection against spinal cord injury (SCI). In the present study, bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) isolated from rat bone marrows were transfected with miR-544 mimic. The miR-544-overexpressing BMSCs-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exo) were intravenously injected into SCI model rats. Neurological function, histopathological changes, and the release of inflammatory cytokines were further examined. Results showed that BMSCs-exosomal miR-544 mitigated neural functional recovery after SCI. Moreover, overexpression of miR-544 in BMSC-Exo abated histologic deficits and neuronal loss caused by SCI. Notably, this therapeutic intervention also reduced inflammation following SCI. In conclusion, exosomes derived from miR-544-overexpressing BMSCs improved functional recovery and promoted neuronal survival by attenuating inflammation after SCI.