Accumulating proofs signify that pleiotropic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are not allied to their differentiation competencies but rather are mediated mainly by the releases of soluble paracrine mediators, making them a reasonable therapeutic option to enable damaged tissue repair. Due to their unique immunomodulatory and regenerative attributes, the MSC-derived exosomes hold great potential to treat neurodegeneration-associated neurological diseases. Exosome treatment circumvents drawbacks regarding the direct administration of MSCs, such as tumor formation or reduced infiltration and migration to brain tissue. Noteworthy, MSCs-derived exosomes can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB) and then efficiently deliver their cargo (e.g., protein, miRNAs, lipid, and mRNA) to damaged brain tissue. These biomolecules influence various biological processes (e.g., survival, proliferation, migration, etc.) in neurons, oligodendrocytes, and astrocytes. Various studies have shown that the systemic or local administration of MSCs-derived exosome could lead to the favored outcome in animals with neurodegeneration-associated disease mainly by supporting BBB integrity, eliciting pro-angiogenic effects, attenuating neuroinflammation, and promoting neurogenesis in vivo. In the present review, we will deliver an overview of the therapeutic benefits of MSCs-derived exosome therapy to ameliorate the pathological symptoms of acute and chronic neurodegenerative disease. Also, the underlying mechanism behind these favored effects has been elucidated.

Recently, mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapy has become an appreciated therapeutic approach in the context of neurodegenerative disease therapy. Accordingly, a myriad of studies in animal models and also some clinical trials have evinced the safety, feasibility, and efficacy of MSC transplantation in neurodegenerative conditions, most importantly in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington’s disease (HD). The MSC-mediated desired effect is mainly a result of secretion of immunomodulatory factors in association with release of various neurotrophic factors (NTFs), such as glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Thanks to the secretion of protein-degrading molecules, MSC therapy mainly brings about the degradation of pathogenic protein aggregates, which is a typical appearance of chronic neurodegenerative disease. Such molecules, in turn, diminish neuroinflammation and simultaneously enable neuroprotection, thereby alleviating disease pathological symptoms and leading to cognitive and functional recovery. Also, MSC differentiation into neural-like cells in vivo has partially been evidenced. Herein, we focus on the therapeutic merits of MSCs and also their derivative exosome as an innovative cell-free approach in AD, HD, PD, and ALS conditions. Also, we give a brief glimpse into novel approaches to potentiate MSC-induced therapeutic merits in such disorders, most importantly, administration of preconditioned MSCs.

Background The tripartite motif containing (TRIM)-22 participates in innate immune responses and exhibits antiviral activities. The present study aimed to assess of the relationship between TRIM22 single-nucleotide polymorphisms and clinical parameters with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection severity. Methods TRIM22 polymorphisms (rs7113258, rs7935564, and rs1063303) were genotyped using TaqMan polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay in 495 dead and 497 improved severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-positive patients. Results In this study, the frequencies of TRIM22 rs1063303 GG, rs7935564 GG, and rs7113258 TT were significantly higher in dead patients than in improved patients, and higher viral load with low PCR Ct value was noticed in dead patients. The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the lower levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol, PCR Ct value, and lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and also higher levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and TRIM22 rs1063303 GG, rs7113258 TT, and rs3824949 GG genotypes were related to the COVID-19 infection severity. Conclusion Our finding proved the probable relationship between the COVID-19 infection severity with the genotypes of TRIM22 SNPs and clinical parameters. More research is required worldwide to show the association between the COVID-19 infection severity and host genetic factors.

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Currently, it has been suggested that human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), a well-known multipotent stem cells, could modify the biological process in leukemia cells. Therefore, we evaluated human MSCs' possible effects on apoptosis and proliferation of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) MOLT-4 cells. Accordingly, MOLT-4 cells were co-cultured with MSCs. Then, 24, 48, and 72 hours after treatment, the apoptosis percentages of co-cultured MOLT-4 cell apoptosis was estimated using flow cytometry analysis. Also, cells proliferation rates were measured by MTT assay after 24, 48, and 72 hours of treatment. Finally, the expression ratio of candidate genes, including Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3, and -8, were evaluated in MOLT-4 cells co-cultured with MSCs. Based on results, MSCs stimulated the apoptosis of MOLT-4 cells after 48 and 72 hours but not 24 hours of treatment compared with the control group (MOLT-4 cells). Also, MSCs induced robust a reduction in MOLT-4 cell proliferation rate compared with the control group. On the other hand, Real-Time PCR results indicated a decrease in Bcl-2 expression, and conversely a promotion in Bax, and caspase-3, and -8 expression at mRNA levels. In sum, results signified that MSCs could exert anti-leukemic effects on leukemia MOLT-4 cells through promoting Bax/Bcl-2 ration concomitant with up-regulating caspases expression.