Human Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cell–Derived Extracellular Vesicles Enhance Neuroregeneration in a Rat Model of Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury

Extracellular vesicles are key players in mesenchymal stem cells' dual potential to regenerate and modulate the immune system

MSCs are used for treatment of inflammatory conditions or for regenerative purposes. MSCs are complete cells and allogenic transplantation is in principle possible, but mostly autologous use is preferred. In recent years, it was discovered that cells secrete extracellular vesicles. These are active budded off vesicles that carry a cargo. The cargo can be miRNA, protein, lipids etc. The extracellular vesicles can be transported through the body and fuse with target cells. Thereby, they influence the phenotype and modulate the disease. The extracellular vesicles have, like the MSCs, immunomodulatory or regenerative capacities. This review will focus on those features of extracellular vesicles and discuss their dual role. Besides the immunomodulation, the regeneration will concentrate on bone, cartilage, tendon, vessels and nerves. Current clinical trials with extracellular vesicles for immunomodulation and regeneration that started in the last five years are highlighted as well. In summary, extracellular vesicles have a great potential as disease modulating entity and treatment. Their dual characteristics need to be taken into account and often are both important for having the best effect.

Exogenous Hsp70 exerts neuroprotective effects in peripheral nerve rupture model

Hsp70 is the main molecular chaperone responsible for cellular proteostasis under normal conditions and for restoring the conformation or utilization of proteins damaged by stress. Increased expression of endogenous Hsp70 or administration of exogenous Hsp70 is known to exert neuroprotective effects in models of many neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we have investigated the effect of exogenous Hsp70 on recovery from peripheral nerve injury in a model of sciatic nerve transection in rats. It was shown that recombinant Hsp70 after being added to the conduit connecting the ends of the nerve at the site of its extended severance, migrates along the nerve into the spinal ganglion and is retained there at least three days. In animals with the addition of recombinant Hsp70 to the conduit, a decrease in apoptosis in the spinal ganglion cells after nerve rupture, an increase in the level of PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), an increase in markers of nerve tissue regeneration and a decrease in functional deficit were observed compared to control animals. The obtained data indicate the possibility of using recombinant Hsp70 preparations to accelerate the recovery of patients after neurotrauma.

Biomaterials and Cell Therapy Combination in Central Nervous System Treatments

Current pharmacological and surgical therapies for the central nervous system (CNS) show a limited capacity to reduce the damage progression; that together with the intrinsic limited capability of the CNS to regenerate greatly reduces the hopes of recovery. Among all the therapies proposed, the tissue engineering strategies supplemented with therapeutic stem cells remain the most promising. Neural tissue engineering strategies are based on the development of devices presenting optimal physical, chemical, and mechanical properties which, once inserted in the injured site, can support therapeutic cells, limiting the effect of a hostile environment and supporting regenerative processes. Thus, this review focuses on the employment of hydrogel and nanofibrous scaffolds supplemented with stem cells as promising therapeutic tools for the central and peripheral nervous systems in preclinical and clinical applications.

Hydralazine represses Fpn ubiquitination to rescue injured neurons via competitive binding to UBA52

A major impedance to neuronal regeneration after peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is the activation of various programmed cell death mechanisms in the dorsal root ganglion. Ferroptosis is a form of programmed cell death distinguished by imbalance in iron and thiol metabolism, leading to lethal lipid peroxidation. However, the molecular mechanisms of ferroptosis in the context of PNI and nerve regeneration remain unclear. Ferroportin (Fpn), the only known mammalian nonheme iron export protein, plays a pivotal part in inhibiting ferroptosis by maintaining intracellular iron homeostasis. Here, we explored in vitro and in vivo the involvement of Fpn in neuronal ferroptosis. We first delineated that reactive oxygen species at the injury site induces neuronal ferroptosis by increasing intracellular iron via accelerated UBA52-driven ubiquitination and degradation of Fpn, and stimulation of lipid peroxidation. Early administration of the potent arterial vasodilator, hydralazine (HYD), decreases the ubiquitination of Fpn after PNI by binding to UBA52, leading to suppression of neuronal cell death and significant acceleration of axon regeneration and motor function recovery. HYD targeting of ferroptosis is a promising strategy for clinical management of PNI.

Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle-based therapy for nerve injury: A review of the molecular mechanisms

Recent evidence suggests that stem cell therapy has beneficial effects on nerve damage. These beneficial effects were subsequently found to be exerted in part in a paracrine manner by the release of extracellular vesicles. Stem cell-secreted extracellular vesicles have shown great potential to reduce inflammation and apoptosis, optimize the function of Schwann cells, regulate genes related to regeneration, and improve behavioral performance after nerve damage. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the effect of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles on neuroprotection and regeneration along with their molecular mechanisms after nerve damage.

The Role of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Their Products in the Treatment of Injured Spinal Cords

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a destructive condition that results in lasting neurological damage resulting in disruption of the connection between the central nervous system and the rest of the body. Currently, there are several approaches in the treatment of a damaged spinal cord; however, none of the methods allow the patient to return to the original full-featured state of life before the injury. Cell transplantation therapies show great potential in the treatment of damaged spinal cords. The most examined type of cells used in SCI research are mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). These cells are at the center of interest of scientists because of their unique properties. MSCs regenerate the injured tissue in two ways: (i) they are able to differentiate into some types of cells and so can replace the cells of injured tissue and (ii) they regenerate tissue through their powerful known paracrine effect. This review presents information about SCI and the treatments usually used, aiming at cell therapy using MSCs and their products, among which active biomolecules and extracellular vesicles predominate.

Study of the Molecular Mechanisms of the Therapeutic Properties of Extracellular Vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small biological structures that are released by cells and have important roles in intercellular communication [...].