Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment

Stroke is characterized with high morbidity, mortality and disability all over the world, and one of its core pathologies is blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. BBB plays a crucial physiological role in protecting brain tissues and maintaining homeostasis in central nervous system (CNS). BBB dysf...

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Main Authors: Xiaochen Fu, Jia Li, Shoujun Yang, Jiapeng Jing, Qinzhi Zheng, Ting Zhang, Zhuo Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1536028/full
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author Xiaochen Fu
Xiaochen Fu
Jia Li
Jia Li
Shoujun Yang
Jiapeng Jing
Jiapeng Jing
Qinzhi Zheng
Qinzhi Zheng
Ting Zhang
Ting Zhang
Zhuo Xu
author_facet Xiaochen Fu
Xiaochen Fu
Jia Li
Jia Li
Shoujun Yang
Jiapeng Jing
Jiapeng Jing
Qinzhi Zheng
Qinzhi Zheng
Ting Zhang
Ting Zhang
Zhuo Xu
author_sort Xiaochen Fu
collection DOAJ
description Stroke is characterized with high morbidity, mortality and disability all over the world, and one of its core pathologies is blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. BBB plays a crucial physiological role in protecting brain tissues and maintaining homeostasis in central nervous system (CNS). BBB dysfunction serves as a key factor in the development of cerebral edema, inflammation, and further neurological damage in stroke patients. Currently, stem cells and their derived exosomes have shown remarkable potential in repairing the damaged BBB and improving neurological function after stroke. Stem cells repair the integrity of BBB through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, angiogenesis and regulation of intercellular signaling mechanisms, while stem cell-derived exosomes, as natural nanocarriers, further enhance the therapeutic effect by carrying active substances such as proteins, RNAs and miRNAs. This review will present the latest research advances in stem cells and their exosomes in stroke treatment, as well as the challenges of cell source, transplantation timing, dosage, and route of administration in clinical application, aiming to discuss their mechanisms of repairing BBB integrity and potential for clinical application, and proposes future research directions. Stem cells and exosomes are expected to provide new strategies for early diagnosis and precise treatment of stroke, and promote breakthroughs in the field of stroke.
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publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
spelling doaj-art-d55a0d78fd04421ca1d6886acbd5e3212025-08-20T02:09:02ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience1662-51022025-04-011910.3389/fncel.2025.15360281536028Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatmentXiaochen Fu0Xiaochen Fu1Jia Li2Jia Li3Shoujun Yang4Jiapeng Jing5Jiapeng Jing6Qinzhi Zheng7Qinzhi Zheng8Ting Zhang9Ting Zhang10Zhuo Xu11Department of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaRehabilitation Therapeutics, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaRehabilitation Therapeutics, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaRehabilitation Therapeutics, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaRehabilitation Therapeutics, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaRehabilitation Therapeutics, School of Nursing, Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaDepartment of Rehabilitation, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, ChinaStroke is characterized with high morbidity, mortality and disability all over the world, and one of its core pathologies is blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. BBB plays a crucial physiological role in protecting brain tissues and maintaining homeostasis in central nervous system (CNS). BBB dysfunction serves as a key factor in the development of cerebral edema, inflammation, and further neurological damage in stroke patients. Currently, stem cells and their derived exosomes have shown remarkable potential in repairing the damaged BBB and improving neurological function after stroke. Stem cells repair the integrity of BBB through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, angiogenesis and regulation of intercellular signaling mechanisms, while stem cell-derived exosomes, as natural nanocarriers, further enhance the therapeutic effect by carrying active substances such as proteins, RNAs and miRNAs. This review will present the latest research advances in stem cells and their exosomes in stroke treatment, as well as the challenges of cell source, transplantation timing, dosage, and route of administration in clinical application, aiming to discuss their mechanisms of repairing BBB integrity and potential for clinical application, and proposes future research directions. Stem cells and exosomes are expected to provide new strategies for early diagnosis and precise treatment of stroke, and promote breakthroughs in the field of stroke.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1536028/fullblood brain barrierstrokestem cellexosomescell therapy
spellingShingle Xiaochen Fu
Xiaochen Fu
Jia Li
Jia Li
Shoujun Yang
Jiapeng Jing
Jiapeng Jing
Qinzhi Zheng
Qinzhi Zheng
Ting Zhang
Ting Zhang
Zhuo Xu
Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience
blood brain barrier
stroke
stem cell
exosomes
cell therapy
title Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
title_full Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
title_fullStr Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
title_full_unstemmed Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
title_short Blood-brain barrier repair: potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
title_sort blood brain barrier repair potential and challenges of stem cells and exosomes in stroke treatment
topic blood brain barrier
stroke
stem cell
exosomes
cell therapy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1536028/full
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