Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing

Abstract Tendon-bone insertion (TBI) injuries and diseases are one of the common musculoskeletal conditions that can severely impair an individual’s daily activities and quality of life. The healing process following an injury is intricate and depending on microenvironmental factors such as mechanic...

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Main Authors: Junjie Tang, Peng Shen, Xinyuan Wu, Minhao Chen, Hua Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-06060-z
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author Junjie Tang
Peng Shen
Xinyuan Wu
Minhao Chen
Hua Xu
author_facet Junjie Tang
Peng Shen
Xinyuan Wu
Minhao Chen
Hua Xu
author_sort Junjie Tang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tendon-bone insertion (TBI) injuries and diseases are one of the common musculoskeletal conditions that can severely impair an individual’s daily activities and quality of life. The healing process following an injury is intricate and depending on microenvironmental factors such as mechanical loading, inflammatory responses, and the extracellular matrix. Tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) primarily contribute to the replenishment of tendon cells via self-renewal and differentiation, which is essential for tendon-bone healing. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles from various cell types, have attracted significant interest for their potential in regenerative medicine, particularly for treating tendon disorders. Recent studies indicate that exosomes from various cell sources, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), can effectively modulating the activity of TSPCs and enhance their therapeutic potential. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms and functions of stem cell-derived exosomes in altering the properties of TSPCs and facilitating tendon-bone healing. In conclusion, exosomes offer a promising therapeutic approach for TBI injuries. However, further clinical validation is required. Utilizing the regenerative capabilities of exosomes could address promotion of tendon-bone healing and enhance the quality of life for affected patients.
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series Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
spelling doaj-art-92fd02f78f714b77a4dffdb96ef328982025-08-20T03:05:10ZengBMCJournal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research1749-799X2025-07-0120111310.1186/s13018-025-06060-zStem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healingJunjie Tang0Peng Shen1Xinyuan Wu2Minhao Chen3Hua Xu4Department of Orthopaedics, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong UniversityDepartment of Orthopaedics, Medical School of Nantong University, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong UniversityAbstract Tendon-bone insertion (TBI) injuries and diseases are one of the common musculoskeletal conditions that can severely impair an individual’s daily activities and quality of life. The healing process following an injury is intricate and depending on microenvironmental factors such as mechanical loading, inflammatory responses, and the extracellular matrix. Tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs) primarily contribute to the replenishment of tendon cells via self-renewal and differentiation, which is essential for tendon-bone healing. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles from various cell types, have attracted significant interest for their potential in regenerative medicine, particularly for treating tendon disorders. Recent studies indicate that exosomes from various cell sources, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), can effectively modulating the activity of TSPCs and enhance their therapeutic potential. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms and functions of stem cell-derived exosomes in altering the properties of TSPCs and facilitating tendon-bone healing. In conclusion, exosomes offer a promising therapeutic approach for TBI injuries. However, further clinical validation is required. Utilizing the regenerative capabilities of exosomes could address promotion of tendon-bone healing and enhance the quality of life for affected patients.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-06060-zExosomesTendon stem/progenitor cellsTendon-bone healingTendon-bone insertion injures
spellingShingle Junjie Tang
Peng Shen
Xinyuan Wu
Minhao Chen
Hua Xu
Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research
Exosomes
Tendon stem/progenitor cells
Tendon-bone healing
Tendon-bone insertion injures
title Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing
title_full Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing
title_fullStr Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing
title_full_unstemmed Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing
title_short Stem cell-derived exosomes: a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem/progenitor cells function in tendon-bone healing
title_sort stem cell derived exosomes a potential therapeutic strategy for enhancing tendon stem progenitor cells function in tendon bone healing
topic Exosomes
Tendon stem/progenitor cells
Tendon-bone healing
Tendon-bone insertion injures
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-025-06060-z
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AT pengshen stemcellderivedexosomesapotentialtherapeuticstrategyforenhancingtendonstemprogenitorcellsfunctionintendonbonehealing
AT xinyuanwu stemcellderivedexosomesapotentialtherapeuticstrategyforenhancingtendonstemprogenitorcellsfunctionintendonbonehealing
AT minhaochen stemcellderivedexosomesapotentialtherapeuticstrategyforenhancingtendonstemprogenitorcellsfunctionintendonbonehealing
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