Open AccessExtracellular vesicles from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells improve nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve transection in rats
Author(s) -
Ma Yongbin,
Dong Liyang,
Zhou Dan,
Li Li,
Zhang Wenzhe,
Zhen Yu,
Wang Ting,
Su Jianhua,
Chen Deyu,
Mao Chaoming,
Wang Xuefeng
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/jcmm.14190
Subject(s) - regeneration (biology) , sciatic nerve , mesenchymal stem cell , nerve guidance conduit , medicine , sciatic nerve injury , peripheral nerve injury , axon , epineurial repair , nerve injury , gastrocnemius muscle , umbilical cord , anatomy , pathology , microbiology and biotechnology , anesthesia , biology , skeletal muscle
Abstract Peripheral nerve injury results in limited nerve regeneration and severe functional impairment. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a remarkable tool for peripheral nerve regeneration. The involvement of human umbilical cord MSC‐derived extracellular vesicles (hUCMSC‐EVs) in peripheral nerve regeneration, however, remains unknown. In this study, we evaluated functional recovery and nerve regeneration in rats that received hUCMSC‐EV treatment after nerve transection. We observed that hUCMSC‐EV treatment promoted the recovery of motor function and the regeneration of axons; increased the sciatic functional index; resulted in the generation of numerous axons and of several Schwann cells that surrounded individual axons; and attenuated the atrophy of the gastrocnemius muscle. hUCMSC‐EVs aggregated to rat nerve defects, down‐regulated interleukin (IL)‐6 and IL‐1β, up‐regulated IL‐10 and modulated inflammation in the injured nerve. These effects likely contributed to the promotion of nerve regeneration. Our findings indicate that hUCMSC‐EVs can improve functional recovery and nerve regeneration by providing a favourable microenvironment for nerve regeneration. Thus, hUCMSC‐EVs have considerable potential for application in the treatment of peripheral nerve injury.