Mesenchymal stem cell-derived small extracellular vesicles enhance the therapeutic effect of retinal progenitor cells in retinal degenerative disease rats.

ABSTRACT: JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202602000-00050/figure1/v/2025-05-05T160104Z/r/image-tiff Our previous study demonstrated that combined transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and retinal progenitor cells in rats has therapeutic effects on retinal degeneration that are superior to transplantation of retinal progenitor cells alone. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells regulate and interact with various cells in the retinal microenvironment by secreting neurotrophic factors and extracellular vesicles. Small extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, which offer low immunogenicity, minimal tumorigenic risk, and ease of transportation, have been utilized in the treatment of various neurological diseases. These vesicles exhibit various activities, including

SUBMITTER: Ren C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12220728 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature