Exosomes released by neural stem cells (NSC-Exos) encapsulate abundant bioactive molecules related to neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and neuronal plasticity. Therefore, NSC-Exos not only have many biological functional properties similar to NSCs, but also has many advantages that NSCs do not have. Creative Biolabs summarizes the application advantages of NSC-Exos for researchers to guide the full exploitation of the feasibility of NSC-Exos.
By virtue of their distinctive neuroprotective properties, NSC-Exos have garnered substantial attention in the realm of neurological disease research and therapy.
Stroke treatment
NSC-Exos can upgrade the polarization of microglia to the M2 type by inhibiting neuroinflammation, thereby significantly improving neurodegeneration and promoting nerve regeneration after stroke. At the same time, NSC-Exos can significantly reduce intracranial hemorrhage and eliminate brain swelling. Furthermore, in ischemic stroke rat models, NSC-Exos loaded with brain-derived neurotrophic factors significantly upgraded the differentiation of endogenous NSCs and increased the number of neurons.
Neurological dysfunction treatment
NSC-Exos can prevent the binding of neuronal synapses to Aβ receptors and weaken Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity, thereby reducing Aβ plaques and improving cognitive function, which is crucial for the treatment of many neurological dysfunctions. This blocking effect of NSC-Exos was found to be mediated by various miRNAs carried by it, such as miR-125-5p, miR-124-3p, miR-125a-5p, has-miR-17, has-miR- 20a, has-miR-183-5p.
Glioma treatment
The utilization of NSC-Exos loaded with exogenous miR-124-3p showcased remarkable efficacy in suppressing the proliferative, invasive, and migratory capacities of glioma cells. This effect was achieved through the specific targeting and inhibition of flotillin 2 expression within glioma cells. Such findings present a novel therapeutic approach for addressing glioma.
Nerve injury repair
NSC-Exos possess the capability to impede neuron apoptosis, neuroinflammation, and microglial activation in rats experiencing spinal cord injury. This effect is achieved through the facilitation of autophagy mediated by LC3B and beclin-1, thus facilitating the restoration of nerve function. Moreover, previous studies conducted by other researchers have demonstrated that NSC-Exos enhance vascular remodeling and stimulate the proliferation of endogenous NSCs, resulting in the differentiation of these cells into neurons and oligodendrocytes. Consequently, NSC-Exos exhibit a multifaceted feasibility in promoting neurological function recovery following spinal cord injury and brain injury.
In conclusion, the application feasibility of NSC-Exos is enormous and diverse. They have the ability to upgrade nerve regeneration, inhibit neuroinflammation, restore nerve function, regulate neuronal differentiation, and act as drug-delivery vehicles. As our understanding of Exos and their functions continues to expand, the feasibility applications of NSC-Exos in medicine will undoubtedly continue to grow. Creative Biolabs has been engaged in Exo research and has the ability to provide the most comprehensive Exo research services. If you also want to transform the feasibility of stem cell Exos including NSC-Exos, please contact us.
Fig.1 The functions of neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NSC‐EVs) in the central nervous system microenvironment.1,2
