Schematic representation of the effect of mesenchymal stromal cell‐extracellular vesicles (MSC‐EVs) on different hematopoietic cells and its role in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and graft‐vs‐host disease (GvHD). MSC‐EVs contain proteins, nucleic acids (DNA, micro‐RNAs, and both coding and noncoding RNAs), lipids and metabolites that can be involved in immunoregulation as well as in HSC regulation and engraftment capacity after incorporation by these cells.
Abstract
The therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in graft failure or poor graft function after allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) are currently undergoing clinical evaluation. MSCs exert their functions, at least partially, through the secretion of extracellular vesicles (MSC‐EVs). The available information on the biological potential of MSC‐EVs to improve hematopoietic function, both in in vitro studies and in reported preclinical models, focusing on the possible mechanisms of these effects are summarized in the current review. The potential advantages of EVs over MSCs are also discussed, as well as the limitations and uncertainties in terms of isolation, characterization, mechanism of action in this setting, and industrial scalability that should be addressed for their potential clinical application.