Rat Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes Loaded with miR‐494 Promoting Neurofilament Regeneration and Behavioral Function Recovery after Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

Exosomes (Exo) exhibit numerous advantages (e.g., good encapsulation, high targeting efficiency, and easy to penetrate the blood-brain barrier to the central nervous system). Exosomes are recognized as prominent carriers of mRNAs, siRNAs, miRNAs, proteins, and other bioactive molecules. As confirmed by existing studies, miR-494 is important to regulate the occurrence, progression, and repair of spinal cord injury (SCI). We constructed miR-494-modified exosomes (Exo-miR-494). As indicated from related research in vitro and vivo, Exo-miR-494 is capable of effectively inhibiting the inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis in the injured area, as well as upregulating various anti-inflammatory factors and miR-494 to protect neurons. Moreover, it can promote the regeneration of the neurofilament and improve the recovery of behavioral function of SCI rats.