Neuroprotective effect of placenta-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: role of exosomes

What is it about?

We have established early gestation placental stem cells as a potential treatment for spina bifida (SB), a spinal column defect that leaves children with lifelong lower limb paralysis, cognitive deficits, and bowel and bladder incontinence. Our preclinical studies demonstrated that PMSCs have the potential to cure hind-limb paralysis in a sheep SB model before birth. PMSCs act by secreting neurotrophic factors. PMSCs exhibit neuroprotective function by increasing cell number and neurites in vitro. In addition to neurotrophic factors, PMSCs also secrete extracellular vesicles called exosomes, which contain several proteins and RNAs involved in neuronal development and survival. Like PMSCs, exosomes also increase neurite outgrowth, suggesting that they exhibit neuroprotective function. Galectin 1, a neuroprotective and immunomodulatory protein, is present on the surface of PMSCs and exosomes. This protein binds to neuronal cells and imparts the neuroprotective function.

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