Citation

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) are present in the adult central nervous system (CNS), and their impaired ability to differentiate into myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) can lead to demyelination in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), accompanied by neurological deficits and cognitive impairment. Exosomes, small vesicles released by cells, are known to facilitate intercellular communication by carrying bioactive molecules. In this study, we utilized exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUMSCs-Exos). We performed sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of exosome-treated cells to demonstrate that HUMSCs-Exos can stimulate myelin gene expression in OPCs. Functional investigations revealed that HUMSCs-Exos activate the Pi3k/Akt pathway and regulate the Tbr1/Wnt signaling molecules through the transfer of miR-23a-3p, promoting OLs differentiation and enhancing the expression of myelin-related proteins. In an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model, treatment with HUMSCs-Exos significantly improved neurological function and facilitated remyelination. This study provides cellular and molecular insights into the use of cell-free exosome therapy for central nervous system demyelination associated with multiple sclerosis, demonstrating its great potential for treating demyelinating and neurodegenerative diseases.