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Therapeutic Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sepsis remains a life-threatening challenge with limited options. Can mesenchymal stem cell-derived vesicles offer a breakthrough? Discover how EV-MSCs are showing promise in improving survival and reducing organ damage in animal studies.

Summary

Sepsis, a critical inflammatory condition, often leads to severe organ dysfunction and has limited treatment options. This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EV-MSCs) for sepsis. The findings highlight their effectiveness in reducing inflammatory markers, improving survival rates, and protecting organs in preclinical models, suggesting a promising pathway toward new sepsis treatments.

Key Points

  • Promising Survival Outcomes: Animals treated with EV-MSCs had a significantly higher survival rate compared to untreated controls.
  • Organ Protection: EV-MSCs helped protect critical organs, including the lungs, kidneys, and liver, by reducing dysfunction.
  • Reduction in Inflammatory Markers: EV-MSCs lowered levels of pro-inflammatory markers, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, indicating a reduction in inflammation.
  • Basis for Clinical Studies: The study calls for further research to confirm these findings in clinical settings and enhance the translation from animal models to human treatment.

Findings

The meta-analysis revealed that EV-MSCs improved survival rates in sepsis models (HR = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.27-0.41).

Organ dysfunction was significantly lower in EV-MSC treated groups, with notable improvements in lung, kidney, and liver function.

Inflammatory cytokine levels, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were also reduced.

Conclusion

This review supports the use of EV-MSCs as a potential sepsis therapy, with significant improvements in survival and organ protection in preclinical models. Future studies are needed to establish clinical efficacy and support the translation of these findings into human applications.

Read the full study here