Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and vasculopathy. Recent evidence suggests that the therapeutic benefits of MSCs do not depend directly on thei...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/13/1018 |
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| author | Cristiano Barbetta Francesco Bonomi Gemma Lepri Daniel E. Furst Silvia Bellando Randone Serena Guiducci |
| author_facet | Cristiano Barbetta Francesco Bonomi Gemma Lepri Daniel E. Furst Silvia Bellando Randone Serena Guiducci |
| author_sort | Cristiano Barbetta |
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| description | Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and vasculopathy. Recent evidence suggests that the therapeutic benefits of MSCs do not depend directly on their ability to proliferate but rather on their capacity to release extracellular nanovesicles known as exosomes (MSC-Exos). MSC-Exos are rich in bioactive molecules such as microRNAs, which can modulate gene expression and trigger significant biological responses, playing a central role in modulating immune responses, inhibiting fibrotic pathways and promoting tissue repair and angiogenesis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MSC-Exos can attenuate fibrosis, modulate macrophage polarization, suppress autoreactive lymphocyte activity, and even reverse pulmonary arterial hypertension in animal models of SSc. Compared to cell-based therapies, MSC-Exos offer several advantages, including lower immunogenicity and better safety profile. This review provides an overview of the immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, and angiogenic properties of MSC-Exos and explores their potential as novel cell-free therapy for SSc. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2f2448dfb69d412280c30ff24a69a8b8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cells |
| spelling | doaj-art-2f2448dfb69d412280c30ff24a69a8b82025-08-20T03:28:28ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-07-011413101810.3390/cells14131018Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic SclerosisCristiano Barbetta0Francesco Bonomi1Gemma Lepri2Daniel E. Furst3Silvia Bellando Randone4Serena Guiducci5Division of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50121 Florence, ItalyDepartment of Internal Medicine, University Hospital Careggi, 50134 Florence, ItalyDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50121 Florence, ItalySouthern California Scleroderma and Rheumatology Centre, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USADivision of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50121 Florence, ItalyDivision of Rheumatology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, AOU Careggi, 50121 Florence, ItalyMesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as a potential therapeutic strategy for systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and vasculopathy. Recent evidence suggests that the therapeutic benefits of MSCs do not depend directly on their ability to proliferate but rather on their capacity to release extracellular nanovesicles known as exosomes (MSC-Exos). MSC-Exos are rich in bioactive molecules such as microRNAs, which can modulate gene expression and trigger significant biological responses, playing a central role in modulating immune responses, inhibiting fibrotic pathways and promoting tissue repair and angiogenesis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that MSC-Exos can attenuate fibrosis, modulate macrophage polarization, suppress autoreactive lymphocyte activity, and even reverse pulmonary arterial hypertension in animal models of SSc. Compared to cell-based therapies, MSC-Exos offer several advantages, including lower immunogenicity and better safety profile. This review provides an overview of the immunomodulatory, antifibrotic, and angiogenic properties of MSC-Exos and explores their potential as novel cell-free therapy for SSc.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/13/1018mesenchymal stem cellsexosomesmicroRNAssystemic sclerosis |
| spellingShingle | Cristiano Barbetta Francesco Bonomi Gemma Lepri Daniel E. Furst Silvia Bellando Randone Serena Guiducci Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis Cells mesenchymal stem cells exosomes microRNAs systemic sclerosis |
| title | Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_full | Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_fullStr | Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_short | Mesenchymal Stem-Cell-Derived Exosomes and MicroRNAs: Advancing Cell-Free Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis |
| title_sort | mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes and micrornas advancing cell free therapy in systemic sclerosis |
| topic | mesenchymal stem cells exosomes microRNAs systemic sclerosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/13/1018 |
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