We have collected the most exciting new researches in the field of genetics and cellular research in the past week.
Development and Comparative Study of a Mouse Model of Airway Inflammation and Remodeling Induced by Exosomes Derived from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
We developed a model of inflammation and airway remodeling in C57 mice provoked by exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells infected by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The mean size of control and infected exosomes in vitro were 167.9 and 118.5 nm, respectively. After induction of modeled pathology, the severity of airway inflammation and its remodeling were analyzed by histopathological methods. In addition, the blood levels of inflammatory factors IL-10, IL-17, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and TNFα were assayed; in the lung tissues, the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and TGF-β were measured. In the developed model, the effects of RSV-induced and non-induced exosomes were compared with those of inactivated and non-inactivated RSV. Intranasal administration of RSV-induced exosomes decreased the levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-10 and IL-17 and increased the expression of serum proinflammatory cytokine TNFα. Increased levels of MMP-2, MMP-9, and α-SMA, enhanced expression of TGF-β in the lung tissue, and pathological staining of the lung tissues indicated infiltration with inflammatory cells and luminal constriction. Thus, RSV-induced exosomes can provoke airway inflammation and remodeling in mice similar to RSV, while non-induced exosomes cannot produce such alterations.
Exosomes: The Rising Biotherapy in Cardiac repair
Extracellular vesicles (EV) and exosomes are increasingly being studied for their role in cell-to-cell communication through bioactive molecules such as RNAs and proteins that modulate immune and regenerative pathways. As demonstrated by several very recent papers, they are emerging as key players in cardiovascular medicine, for both diagnosis and treatment of myocardial infarction (Gu et al., 2024; Das et al., 2024). This focus on exosome-based therapies for cardiovascular diseases is now shaping the research landscape for cardiac biotherapies
EVs and Exosomes, isolated from various cell sources, enhance myocardial repair by modulating multiple tissue repair pathways and promoting angiogenesis. Recent studies demonstrated that intracoronary delivery of exosomes derived from human cardiac progenitor cells in a porcine model of MI significantly reduced infarct size and improved heart function (Emmert et al., 2024). Prieto-Vila et al. further validated the effectiveness of EVs derived from adult cardiomyocytes in a mouse MI model, showing that these EVs reduced fibrosis by reversing the activation of fibroblasts and suppressing several signaling pathways, including MAPK, mTOR, JAK/STAT, TGF-β, and PI3K/Akt.
Traditionally, exosomes have been administered intramyocardially, intracoronary or intravenously for MI treatment. However, Li et al. introduced different therapeutic intervention and demonstrated that inhalable stem cell-derived exosome therapy (SCENT) can enhance cardiac repair. SCENT improved heart function, reduced fibrosis, promoted cardiomyocyte proliferation, and downregulated CD36 in endothelial cells in both mouse and swine MI models.
This study positions exosome delivery as a non-invasive and repeatable treatment method. However, challenges remain, particularly in optimizing retention, targeting specific tissues, and identifying the complex mechanisms involved.
Role of Exosome in Treatment of Oral Cancer
Exosomes, which are excreted by all live cells, contain cell components such as DNA, RNA, lipids, and proteins. When they are released into the bloodstream, they can influence the function and behavior of other cells they encounter.
Exosome therapy is an exciting and innovative area of medical research, as it has been shown that this communication plays a role in the development of various diseases, including cancer, neurological diseases, and inflammatory diseases.
In a recent study, clinician-scientists and researchers at the National Carcinoma Centre Singapore (NCCS) demonstrated the use of exosomes to effectively target squamous cell carcinoma tumors that are typically resistant to epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs).