microRNA-130b-3p delivery by mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes confers protection on acute lung injury

INDUCED PLURIPOTENT STEM CELL-DERIVED MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS-DERIVED EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES ATTENUATE LPS-INDUCED LUNG INJURY AND ENDOTOXEMIA IN MICE

ABSTRACT

Introduction: We hypothesized extracellular vesicles (EVs) from preconditioned human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells (iMSCs) attenuate LPS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and endotoxemia. Methods: iMSCs were incubated with cell stimulation cocktail (CSC) and EVs were isolated. iMSC-EVs were characterized by size and EV markers. Biodistribution of intratracheal (IT), intravenous, and intraperitoneal injection of iMSC-EVs in mice was examined using IVIS. Uptake of iMSC-EVs in lung tissue, alveolar macrophages, and RAW264.7 cells was also assessed. C57BL/6 mice were treated with IT/IP iMSC-EVs or vehicle ± IT/IP LPS to induce ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome and endotoxemia. Lung tissues, plasma, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested at 24 h. Lung histology, BALF neutrophil/macrophage, cytokine levels, and total protein concentration were measured to assess ALI and inflammation. Survival studies were performed using IP LPS in mice for 3 days. Results: iMSC-EV route of administration resulted in differential tissue distribution. iMSC-EVs were taken up by alveolar macrophages in mouse lung and cultured RAW264.7 cells. IT LPS-treated mice demonstrated marked histologic ALI, increased BALF neutrophils/macrophages and protein, and increased BALF and plasma TNF-α/IL-6 levels. These parameters were attenuated by 2 h before or 2 h after treatment with IT iMSC-EVs in ALI mice. Interestingly, the IT LPS-induced increase in IL-10 was augmented by iMSC-EVs. Mice treated with IP LPS showed increases in TNF-α and IL-6 that were downregulated by iMSC-EVs and LPS-induced mortality was ameliorated by iMSC-EVs. Administration of IT iMSC-EVs 2 h after LPS downregulated the increase in proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α/IL-6) by LPS and further increased IL-10 levels. Conclusions: iMSC-EVs attenuate the inflammatory effects of LPS on cytokine levels in ALI and IP LPS in mice. LPS-induced mortality was improved with administration of iMSC-EVs.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as delivery vehicles for non-coding RNAs in lung diseases

The burden of lung diseases is gradually increasing with an increase in the average human life expectancy. Therefore, it is necessary to identify effective methods to treat lung diseases and reduce their social burden. Currently, an increasing number of studies focus on the role of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) as a cell-free therapy in lung diseases. They show great potential for application to lung diseases as a more stable and safer option than traditional cell therapies. MSC-Exos are rich in various substances, including proteins, nucleic acids, and DNA. Delivery of Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) enables MSC-Exos to communicate with target cells. MSC-Exos significantly inhibit inflammatory factors, reduce oxidative stress, promote normal lung cell proliferation, and reduce apoptosis by delivering ncRNAs. Moreover, MSC-Exos carrying specific ncRNAs affect the proliferation, invasion, and migration of lung cancer cells, thereby playing a role in managing lung cancer. The detailed mechanisms of MSC-Exos in the clinical treatment of lung disease were explored by developing standardized culture, isolation, purification, and administration strategies. In summary, MSC-Exo-based delivery methods have important application prospects for treating lung diseases.

Delivery systems of therapeutic nucleic acids for the treatment of acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute lung injury (ALI)/ acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating inflammatory lung disease with a high mortality rate. ALI/ARDS is induced by various causes, including sepsis, infections, thoracic trauma, and inhalation of toxic reagents. Corona virus infection disease-19 (COVID-19) is also a major cause of ALI/ARDS. ALI/ARDS is characterized by inflammatory injury and increased vascular permeability, resulting in lung edema and hypoxemia. Currently available treatments for ALI/ARDS are limited, but do include mechanical ventilation for gas exchange and treatments supportive of reduction of severe symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids have been suggested, but their clinical effects are controversial with possible side-effects. Therefore, novel treatment modalities have been developed for ALI/ARDS, including therapeutic nucleic acids. Two classes of therapeutic nucleic acids are in use. The first constitutes knock-in genes for encoding therapeutic proteins such as heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and adiponectin (APN) at the site of disease. The other is oligonucleotides such as small interfering RNAs and antisense oligonucleotides for knock-down expression of target genes. Carriers have been developed for efficient delivery for therapeutic nucleic acids into the lungs based on the characteristics of the nucleic acids, administration routes, and targeting cells. In this review, ALI/ARDS gene therapy is discussed mainly in terms of delivery systems. The pathophysiology of ALI/ARDS, therapeutic genes, and their delivery strategies are presented for development of ALI/ARDS gene therapy. The current progress suggests that selected and appropriate delivery systems of therapeutic nucleic acids into the lungs may be useful for the treatment of ALI/ARDS.

MicroRNAs in T Cell-Immunotherapy

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as master regulators of gene expression in homeostasis and disease. Despite the rapidly growing body of evidence on the theranostic potential of restoring miRNA levels in pre-clinical models, the translation into clinics remains limited. Here, we review the current knowledge of miRNAs as T-cell targeting immunotherapeutic tools, and we offer an overview of the recent advances in miRNA delivery strategies, clinical trials and future perspectives in RNA interference technologies.