Mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles: A possible strategy for prevention of preterm birth

Abstract

The leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality is preterm birth (PTB) which has different etiologies such as infection. Mostly through the inflammatory pathways, infection could trigger preterm labor (PTL) and cause PTB. In this condition, using antibiotics are encouraged but in absence of bacterial infections antibiotics themselves might cause an inflammatory state and therefore lead to PTL. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used in many trials due to their potent anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity. These effects have been known to be caused by their secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) which also, they have shown the same effect in the performed clinical studies. Also, MSC EVs have been shown to affect bronchopulmonary dysplasia which is among the consequences of PTB. All and all, we suggest further animal and human studies on the potential of MSC EVs for the prevention of PTB.