Biology and Potential Medical Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes

Dear Colleagues,

Extracellular vesicles are found in the biological fluids of all multicellular organisms. Between the various categories of extracellular vesicles, exosomes are more intensively studied. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by eukaryotic cells that contribute to intercellular communication. First discovered in 1983 during reticulocyte maturation studies, [1], it is known today that exosomes may regulate several cell functions and may be used as diagnostic and prognostic means in cancer and other diseases. The study of exosomes represents one of the most active fields in today's biological research because it seems that these small vesicles may be very useful not only as diagnostic tools but also as therapeutic tools in the future [2]. However, before we will be able to routinely use exosomes in medical practice, we have to deeply understand their biology. It is not yet clear how exosome-related signaling is integrated into the signaling puzzle of the cell and of the multicellular organism. How are the synthesis and secretion of exosomes influenced by other signaling molecules? How many kinds of exosomes can be secreted by a cell and under what conditions? On the other hand, it is widely accepted that exosomes loaded with specific effector molecules such as miRNA or gene therapy plasmids could serve as magic bullets to influence the function of specific cells in vivo [3]. However, techniques for isolating, detecting, analyzing, and sorting exosomes are still developing [4]. Mesenchymal stem cells are the main cell species whose exosomes have been extensively studied and used for the treatment of diseases [5]. In the present Special Issue, we aim to present new knowledge that may significantly contribute to the development of the interesting and promising scientific field of mesenchymal stem cell exosomes and their potential medical applications. 

1. Johnstone, M.; Adam, M.; Hammond, J.R.; Orr, L.; Turbide, C. Vesicle formation during reticulocyte maturation. Association of plasma membrane activities with released vesicles (exosomes). The Journal of Biological Chemistry 1987, 262, 9412–9420.
2. de Matos, B.M.; Stimamiglio, M.A.; Correa, A.; Robert, A.W. Human pluripotent stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles: From now to the future. World J. Stem Cells 2023, 15, 453–465.
3. Avgoulas, D.I.; Tasioulis, K.S.; Papi, R.M.; Pantazaki, A.A. Therapeutic and Diagnostic Potential of Exosomes as Drug Delivery Systems in Brain Cancer. Pharmaceutics 2023, 15, 1439. 
4. Omrani, M.; Beyrampour-Basmenj, H.; Jahanban-Esfahlan, R.; Talebi, M.; Raeisi, M.; Serej, Z.A.; Akbar-Gharalari, N.; Khodakarimi, S.; Wu, J.; Ebrahimi-Kalan, A. Global trend inexosome isolation and application: an update concept in management of diseases. Cell. Biochem. 2023, 11, 1­­–13.
5. Yuan, Y.G.; Wang, J.L.; Zhang, Y.X.; Li, L.; Reza, A.M.M.T.; Gurunathan, S. Biogenesis, Composition and Potential Therapeutic Applications of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived Exosomes in Various Diseases. Int J Nanomedicine 2023, 18, 3177–3210

Dr. George Koliakos
Guest Editor

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• mesenchymal stem cells
• extracellular vesicles
• exosomes
• exosomes in drug delivery
• intercellular signaling
• diagnosis and therapy
• exosome miRNA packaging and transfer
• exosome isolation
• characterization and analysis
• molecular signals controlling exosome production and release