The Neuroprotection Effects of Exosome in Central Nervous System Injuries: a New Target for Therapeutic Intervention

Abstract

Central nervous system (CNS) injuries, including traumatic brain injury (TBI), spinal cord injury (SCI) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), are the most common cause of death and disability around the world. As a key subset of extracellular vesicles (EVs), exosomes have recently attracted great attentions due to their functions in remodeling extracellular matrix, and transmitting signals and molecules. A large number of studies have suggested that exosomes played an important role in brain development and involved in many neurological disorders, particularly in CNS injuries. It has been proposed that exosomes could improve cognition function, inhibit apoptosis, suppress in ammation, regulate autophagy and protect blood brain barrier (BBB) in CNS injuries via different molecules and pathways including microRNA (miRNA), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), ph1osphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/AKT), Notch1 and extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK). Therefore, exosomes showed great promise as potential targets in CNS injuries. In this article, we present a review highlighting the applications of exosomes in CNS injuries. Hence, on the basis of these properties and effects, exosomes may be developed as therapeutic agents for CNS injury patients.

Harnessing the Stem Cell Niche in Regenerative Medicine: Innovative Avenue to Combat Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…(1) neuroprotection-exosomes transferring microRNAs, transcription factors, and trophic factors that suppress neuronal apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative damage [181] implicated in AD, PD, and ALS; (2) promoting neurogenesis-exosomal cargos include microR-NAs and growth factors that stimulate neurogenesis [182]; and (3) pathological proteins clearance-transferring misfolded aggregated proteins to recipient cells with proteolytic capacity for degradation [183], including the amyloid-β and α-syn aggregates that drive AD and PD progression, respectively.…”

Engineered exosomes enriched with select microRNAs amplify their therapeutic efficacy for traumatic brain injury and stroke

“…Interacting with immune cells in the brain, such as microglia and astrocytes, exosomes modulate the immune response following injury ( Liu et al, 2023 ). Exosomes exert neuroprotective effects by promoting cell survival and inhibiting apoptosis of injured neurons ( Williams et al, 2020a ; Zhang et al, 2022 ). Treatment with exosomes derived from stem cells stimulate angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels) and neurogenesis (generation of new neurons) in the injured brain ( Zhang et al, 2015 ).…”

Exosomes in Reperfusion Injuries: Role in Pathophysiology and Perspectives as Treatment

“…Brain cells such as neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, endothelial cells, and microglia are capable of releasing exosomes [44]. Under pathologic conditions, neuron exosomes mediate nutritional metabolic support, nerve regeneration, inflammation, and propagation of toxic components, while exosomes released by astrocytes and microglia exert neuroprotective effects [45].…”