Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis

Abstract Ferroptosis, a regulated type of cell death directed by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is associated with a variety of pathological diseases. Recent findings have highlighted the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) in modulating ferroptosis. These...

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Main Authors: Mohammed Zayed, Enas Elwakeel, Prehan Ezzat, Byung-Hoon Jeong
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04511-2
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author Mohammed Zayed
Enas Elwakeel
Prehan Ezzat
Byung-Hoon Jeong
author_facet Mohammed Zayed
Enas Elwakeel
Prehan Ezzat
Byung-Hoon Jeong
author_sort Mohammed Zayed
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Ferroptosis, a regulated type of cell death directed by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is associated with a variety of pathological diseases. Recent findings have highlighted the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) in modulating ferroptosis. These nano-sized extracellular vesicles carry bioactive substances, including proteins, lipids, and microRNAs, which regulate vital pathways related to ferroptosis, such as reactive oxygen species production, glutathione metabolism, and lipid peroxidation. Preclinical studies suggest that MSC-Exos can alleviate ferroptosis-induced damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses, mitigating oxidative stress, upregulating anti-ferroptotic regulators, and suppressing lipid peroxidation. Notably, in cancer, MSC-Exos may protect non-malignant tissues from chemotherapy-induced ferroptosis. By exploiting their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, MSC-Exos offer a promising therapeutic platform for targeting ferroptosis in diverse pathological conditions. This review summarizes the biological and functional characteristics of MSC-Exos, elucidates their roles in ferroptosis regulation across multiple disease models, and discusses current challenges and future directions for clinical translation.
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series Stem Cell Research & Therapy
spelling doaj-art-20201cccb32949d1b53da98249f1b8e42025-08-20T03:04:30ZengBMCStem Cell Research & Therapy1757-65122025-07-0116112210.1186/s13287-025-04511-2Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosisMohammed Zayed0Enas Elwakeel1Prehan Ezzat2Byung-Hoon Jeong3Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National UniversityFaculty of Dentistry, Tanta UniversityMolecular Biology Unit, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Alexandria UniversityKorea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National UniversityAbstract Ferroptosis, a regulated type of cell death directed by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation, is associated with a variety of pathological diseases. Recent findings have highlighted the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) in modulating ferroptosis. These nano-sized extracellular vesicles carry bioactive substances, including proteins, lipids, and microRNAs, which regulate vital pathways related to ferroptosis, such as reactive oxygen species production, glutathione metabolism, and lipid peroxidation. Preclinical studies suggest that MSC-Exos can alleviate ferroptosis-induced damage by enhancing antioxidant defenses, mitigating oxidative stress, upregulating anti-ferroptotic regulators, and suppressing lipid peroxidation. Notably, in cancer, MSC-Exos may protect non-malignant tissues from chemotherapy-induced ferroptosis. By exploiting their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties, MSC-Exos offer a promising therapeutic platform for targeting ferroptosis in diverse pathological conditions. This review summarizes the biological and functional characteristics of MSC-Exos, elucidates their roles in ferroptosis regulation across multiple disease models, and discusses current challenges and future directions for clinical translation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04511-2Mesenchymal stem cellsExosomesCell deathFerroptosisNeurodegenerative diseasesCancer
spellingShingle Mohammed Zayed
Enas Elwakeel
Prehan Ezzat
Byung-Hoon Jeong
Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Mesenchymal stem cells
Exosomes
Cell death
Ferroptosis
Neurodegenerative diseases
Cancer
title Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
title_full Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
title_fullStr Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
title_full_unstemmed Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
title_short Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
title_sort mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes as a potential therapeutic strategy for ferroptosis
topic Mesenchymal stem cells
Exosomes
Cell death
Ferroptosis
Neurodegenerative diseases
Cancer
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04511-2
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AT enaselwakeel mesenchymalstemcellderivedexosomesasapotentialtherapeuticstrategyforferroptosis
AT prehanezzat mesenchymalstemcellderivedexosomesasapotentialtherapeuticstrategyforferroptosis
AT byunghoonjeong mesenchymalstemcellderivedexosomesasapotentialtherapeuticstrategyforferroptosis