Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Tissue Repair and Regeneration
A special issue of Biomolecules (ISSN 2218-273X).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 11 February 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editors
Interests: mesenchymal stem cells; extracellular vesicles; dry eye disease; inflammatory diseases; tissue repair and regeneration
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become a central focus in regenerative medicine due to their multipotent differentiation capacity, immunomodulatory functions, and ability to secrete a range of bioactive factors that facilitate tissue repair. However, mounting evidence suggests that the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs is largely mediated not through direct cell replacement, but via paracrine signalling, notably through their secretome—particularly extracellular vesicles (EVs), of which exosomes are a key component. MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-exosomes) are nano-sized (30–150 nm) vesicles encapsulated by a lipid bilayer that carry a diverse cargo of proteins, lipids, messenger RNAs, and microRNAs, allowing influence over the cellular environment and modulating various physiological processes. The ability of the MSC-exosomes to mirror the therapeutic potential of their parent cells while offering advantages such as lower immunogenicity, easier storage, and reduced risk of ectopic tissue formation or tumorigenesis makes them an attractive cell-free therapeutic alternative for tissue repair and regeneration.
Recent studies highlight the critical role of MSC-exosomes in promoting tissue repair by regulating immune responses, enhancing angiogenesis, inhibiting apoptosis, and stimulating cellular proliferation and differentiation. Their regenerative potential has been demonstrated in various conditions, including cardiovascular injury, neurodegenerative diseases, wound healing, and musculoskeletal disorders. Despite their promise, key challenges remain in elucidating the precise mechanisms of MSC-exosome-mediated repair, optimizing isolation protocols, and advancing clinical translation.
Additionally, the mechanisms by which specific exosomal cargos exert their regenerative effects are still being elucidated. Understanding how the origin, culture conditions, and preconditioning of MSCs affect exosome composition is critical for optimizing their therapeutic potential.
This Special Issue explores the latest advances in MSC-exosome research, focusing on their role in tissue repair and regeneration. We will explore the emerging role of MSC-exosome-based therapies as a next-generation approach in regenerative medicine by examining the bioactive mechanisms and functional impact of MSC-exosomes in addition to researching their biogenesis, molecular composition, and mechanisms of action, along with current advances in their application across various tissues and organ systems, and the therapeutic and regenerative potential of MSC-exosomes in the regulation of immune responses, preventing cell death, and reduced scarring in damaged tissues, offering a safer and potentially more effective alternative to conventional cell-based strategies.
Dr. Carl Randall Harrell
Dr. Crissy Fellabaum
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- MSC
- vesicles
- exosomes
- tissue repair and regeneration
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