Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Derived Exosomes: A Possible Therapeutic Strategy for Osteoporosis

Abstract

Osteoporosis is a common age-related disorder characterized by low bone mass and deterioration in bone microarchitecture, leading to increased skeletal fragility and fracture risk. The pathophysiology of osteoporosis is multifactorial. It is related to the imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts; reduced bone mass and increased adipogenesis in the bone marrow. Moreover, angiogenesis, inflammatory process and miRNAs have shown effects in the formation of osteoporosis. In the recent years, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been regarded as an excellent choice for cell-based tissue engineering therapy of osteoporosis. Growing evidence showed that paracrine effect has been considered as the predominant mechanism for the role of MSCs in tissue repair. Recently, many studies have proposed that MSCs-derived exosomes are effective for a variety of diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc. However, whether the MSCs-derived exosomes could serve as a novel therapeutic tool for osteoporosis has not clearly described. In this review, we summarize the MSCs-derived exosomes and the relationship with osteogenesis, osteoclast differentiation, angiogenesis, immune processes and miRNAs. Finally, we suggest that MSCs-derived exosomes might be a promising therapeutic method for osteoporosis in the future.

Extracellular vesicles from human urine-derived stem cells prevent osteoporosis by transferring CTHRC1 and OPG

“…34–39 MSC-based therapy has attracted considerable attention for treating osteoporosis 33,34 , and the direct use of their secreted EVs may be a safer and promising choice for therapeutic purposes. 40,41 In this study, we used USCs that exhibited MSC-like properties and could be noninvasively harvested from unlimited and easily available human urine as the parent cell source to obtain EVs (USC-EVs) and determined that the systemic injection of USC-EVs effectively inhibited bone loss and increased bone strength in osteoporotic mice due to their dual effects on bone metabolism, which not only enhanced osteoblastic bone formation but also reduced osteoclastic bone resorption. Studies have revealed that BMSCs from osteoporotic bone have defects in intrinsic signals that impair the osteogenic differentiation capacity of BMSCs.…”

Exosomes: roles and therapeutic potential in osteoarthritis

“…85 Exosomes from different tissue-derived MSCs or iPS cell-derived MSCs could prevent bone loss, promote bone formation, and prevent osteoporosis in experimental animal models, [86][87][88][89] indicating that MSC-derived exosomes could be a potential therapeutic treatment for osteoporosis. 90 In addition to osteoporosis, MSC-derived exosomes also greatly contribute to fracture healing. 91 The exosomes from hypoxically preconditioned MSCs had a higher miR-126 level and promoted fracture healing via the SPRED1/Ras/Erk signaling pathway.…”

Autologous mesenchymal stromal cells embedded in tricalcium phosphate for posterolateral spinal fusion: results of a prospective phase I/II clinical trial with long-term follow-up

“…In addition to their ability to differentiate into various cell lines, these cells have an important immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory capacities, which is very attractive for the treatment of some diseases [35, 36]. Moreover, these cells release to their surrounding cells many growth factors and exosomes that may favor bone regeneration and osteogenesis [37]. This may be even enhanced by the presence of TCP scaffolds [38].…”