Advances in the treatment of liver injury based on mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes

Stem Cell Res Ther. 2024 Dec 18;15(1):474. doi: 10.1186/s13287-024-04087-3.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown a great potential role in treating liver injury. MSCs can promote liver regeneration by differentiating into hepatocytes, and can also secrete exosomes to participate in the repair of liver injury. Increasing evidence has shown that mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-EXOs) play an important role in treating liver injury. In this review, the biogenesis and function of exosomes and the characteristics of MSC-EXOs were analyzed based on recent research results. MSC-EXOs are significant in liver injuries such as liver fibrosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, oxidative stress, and lipid steatosis, and participate in the process of liver regeneration.

Keywords: Exosomes; Liver injury; Liver regeneration; Mesenchymal stem cells.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Exosomes* / transplantation
  • Hepatocytes / cytology
  • Hepatocytes / metabolism
  • Hepatocytes / pathology
  • Humans
  • Liver Regeneration
  • Liver* / injuries
  • Liver* / metabolism
  • Liver* / pathology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation* / methods
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress