Lipid, Protein, and MicroRNA Composition Within Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were regarded as one of the most promising type of seed cells in tissue engineering due to its easy accessibility and multipotent feature of being able to differentiate into adipocyte, osteoblast, cardiomyocytes, and neurons. For years, MSCs have been applied in treating cardiovascular disease, reconstructing kidney injury, and remodeling immune system with remarkable achievements. Basic researches revealed that its clinic effects are not only due to their pluripotent ability but also through their paracrine function that they synthesize and secrete a broad spectrum of growth factors and cytokines. Recent studies show that exosomes is the main paracrine executor of MSCs. The lipid bilayer of exosome maintains its stability and integrity and keeps biological potency of biological substance within it. MSC-derived exosomes were shown to be successful in treating many diseases, including tumor and cardiovascular diseases. However, the exact composition of MSC-derived exosomes is not known yet. In this review, we will discuss the lipid, protein, and microRNA contents within MSC-derived exosomes based on current studies to guide further research and clinical applications of MSC-derived exosomes.