Regenerative potential of stem-cell-derived extracellular vesicles

Abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanometer-sized vesicles that are subcategorized into smaller exosomes and larger microvesicles. These EVs contain genetic and protein materials that after delivery to recipient cells modulate multiple repair mechanisms to ameliorate target injury. Recent studies have convincingly demonstrated that EVs derived from various stem cells (mostly mesenchymal stem cells, MSC) exert similar biological effects in preclinical models of kidney injuries as in intact parental cells. Administration of MSC-derived EVs decreased renal injury and improved kidney function in animals with ischemia-reperfusion, as well as drug-induced acute kidney injury. Furthermore, MSC-derived EVs prevented inflammatory cell infiltration and tubular atrophy and fibrosis in subtotal nephrectomy or unilateral ureteral obstruction models of chronic kidney disease. The present chapter discusses the regenerative potentials of stem-cell-derived EVs in preclinical models of kidney diseases.