Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Abstract

The discovery of extracellular vesicles has provided an outstanding breakthrough in stem cells and regenerative medicine. It has been shown that cells can transfer information through the secretion of soluble factors, the formation of direct physical contacts, and the secretion of extracellular vesicles containing a wide range of biologically active factors, including proteins, lipids, and genetic information. All these factors are protected from destruction by the extracellular vesicles’ bilayer lipid membrane, allowing the transfer of information from cell to cell over considerable distances. Extracellular vesicles derived from stem cells can reprogram a range of target cells, stimulating their viability and migration. The biological capacity and regenerative potential of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles are comparable to that of the stem cells in vivo. Due to biosafety concerns over the use of cell-based therapies, the potential of a cell-free therapy based on extracellular vesicles, with equal efficacy to intact stem cells, is highly desirable for future therapeutic purposes. This chapter will discuss current research into the biological activity and therapeutic application of extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal stem cells. With a focus on approaches for the large-scale production and isolation of extracellular vesicles will enable the transition of extracellular vesicle research into clinical application.KeywordsCell-free therapyCytochalasin BExtracellular vesiclesHyperosmotic vesiculationImmunosuppressionMechanical extrusionMesenchymal stem cellsMitochondria donationRegeneration