Stem-cell derived exosome vesicle products

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert their therapeutic effects through multiple modalities, including paracrine factors such as exosomes. Exosomes are nanometer-sized, membrane-bound vesicles secreted for the purpose of cell-cell communication. Once secreted into extracellular fluid, exosomes are taken up by their target cells or carried to distant target sites. Various bioactive molecules (including lipids, proteins, mRNAs, and tRNAs) are used to enrich exosomes. While many contain a conserved set of proteins, they also carry unique tissue type-specific proteins. These products originate from multiple cellular types, including immunocytes, tumor cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) originating from various tissues. Exosomes from MSCs carry cytokines and growth factors, like TGFB1, IL-6, IL-10, and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF); all are shown to be immunomodulatory. These exosomes can also consist of VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) which aid in angiogenesis and tissue repair.