Neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: mini players with key roles in neurogenesis, immunomodulation, neuroprotection and aging

Abstract

Neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) are self-renewing and multipotent cells of the central nervous system where they give rise to neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes both during embryogenesis and throughout adulthood, although only in a few discrete niches. NSPC can integrate and send a plethora of signals not only within the local microenvironment but also at distance, including the systemic macroenvironment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are currently envisioned as main players in cell-cell communication in basic and translational neuroscience where they are emerging as an acellular alternative in regenerative medicine. At present NSPC-derived EVs represent a largely unexplored area compared to EVs from other neural sources and EVs from other stem cells, i.e., mesenchymal stem cells. On the other hand, available data suggest that NSPC-derived EVs can play key roles on neurodevelopmental and adult neurogenesis, and they are endowed with neuroprotective and immunomodulatory properties, and even endocrine functions. In this review we specifically highlight major neurogenic and “non-neurogenic” properties of NSPC-EVs, the current knowledge on their peculiar cargos and their potential translational value.

Unraveling the Multifaceted Roles of Extracellular Vesicles: Insights into Biology, Pharmacology, and Pharmaceutical Applications for Drug Delivery

“…EVs are involved in diverse biological processes, such as cell motility [ 254 , 255 , 256 ], differentiation [ 257 , 258 , 259 ], proliferation [ 260 , 261 ], apoptosis [ 262 , 263 ], reprogramming [ 264 , 265 , 266 ], and immunity [ 267 , 268 ], through regulation of intercellular communication. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of EVs in these biological processes and in intercellular communication is crucial for their clinical potential [ 269 , 270 ] and applications [ 271 , 272 , 273 , 274 , 275 , 276 , 277 , 278 , 279 ].…”

Extracellular Vesicles from hiPSC-derived NSCs Protect Human Neurons against Aβ-42 Oligomers Induced Neurodegeneration, Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Tau Phosphorylation

“…One potential approach for safeguarding neurons from Aβ-42o induced toxicity in AD is using extracellular vesicles (EVs) released from stem cells, as these EVs contain various therapeutic miRNAs and proteins that can protect neurons [32][33][34][35]. However, no previous studies have tested the effectiveness of neural stem cell (NSC)-derived EVs in amyloid toxicity models.…”