Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe injury to the central nervous system that often results in permanent neurological dysfunction. Current treatments have limited efficacy and face challenges in restoring neurological function after injury. Recently, stem cell-derived exosomes have gained...

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Main Authors: Miaoman Lin, Farzaneh Alimerzaloo, Xingjin Wang, Obada Alhalabi, Sandro M. Krieg, Thomas Skutella, Alexander Younsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04296-4
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author Miaoman Lin
Farzaneh Alimerzaloo
Xingjin Wang
Obada Alhalabi
Sandro M. Krieg
Thomas Skutella
Alexander Younsi
author_facet Miaoman Lin
Farzaneh Alimerzaloo
Xingjin Wang
Obada Alhalabi
Sandro M. Krieg
Thomas Skutella
Alexander Younsi
author_sort Miaoman Lin
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe injury to the central nervous system that often results in permanent neurological dysfunction. Current treatments have limited efficacy and face challenges in restoring neurological function after injury. Recently, stem cell-derived exosomes have gained attention as an experimental treatment for SCI due to their unique properties, including superior biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity and non-tumorigenicity. With their potential as a cell-free therapy, exosomes promote SCI repair by enhancing nerve regeneration, reducing inflammation and stabilizing the blood-spinal cord barrier. This review summarizes advances in stem cell-derived exosome research for SCI over the past years, focusing on their mechanisms and future prospects. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, clinical translation remains challenging due to standardization of exosome isolation protocols, compositional consistency and long-term safety profiles that require further investigation.
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series Stem Cell Research & Therapy
spelling doaj-art-a4e9b68a04ab401ca56cc8a1bec5a0e02025-08-20T03:18:32ZengBMCStem Cell Research & Therapy1757-65122025-04-0116111710.1186/s13287-025-04296-4Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injuryMiaoman Lin0Farzaneh Alimerzaloo1Xingjin Wang2Obada Alhalabi3Sandro M. Krieg4Thomas Skutella5Alexander Younsi6Department of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University HospitalMedical Faculty, Heidelberg UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University HospitalDepartment of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University HospitalMedical Faculty, Heidelberg UniversityDepartment of Neurosurgery, Heidelberg University HospitalAbstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe injury to the central nervous system that often results in permanent neurological dysfunction. Current treatments have limited efficacy and face challenges in restoring neurological function after injury. Recently, stem cell-derived exosomes have gained attention as an experimental treatment for SCI due to their unique properties, including superior biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity and non-tumorigenicity. With their potential as a cell-free therapy, exosomes promote SCI repair by enhancing nerve regeneration, reducing inflammation and stabilizing the blood-spinal cord barrier. This review summarizes advances in stem cell-derived exosome research for SCI over the past years, focusing on their mechanisms and future prospects. Despite their promising therapeutic potential, clinical translation remains challenging due to standardization of exosome isolation protocols, compositional consistency and long-term safety profiles that require further investigation.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04296-4
spellingShingle Miaoman Lin
Farzaneh Alimerzaloo
Xingjin Wang
Obada Alhalabi
Sandro M. Krieg
Thomas Skutella
Alexander Younsi
Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
title Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury
title_full Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury
title_fullStr Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury
title_full_unstemmed Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury
title_short Harnessing stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising cell-free approach for spinal cord injury
title_sort harnessing stem cell derived exosomes a promising cell free approach for spinal cord injury
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-025-04296-4
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