• The effect of exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on the osteogenesis process: effects based on the type of producing cells
  • Mohammad Sadegh Gholami Farashah,1,*
    1. Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran


  • Introduction: Today, communities and their health systems are facing with several challenges associated with the population ageing. Growing number of bone disorders is one of the most serious consequences of aging. According to the reports bone disorders won’t just affect the elderly population. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that could be derived from a variety of tissues including bone marrow, Wharton’s Jelly, adipose tissue, and others. MSCs have been utilized in different researches in the field of regenerative medicine because of their immunosuppression and anti-inflammatory mechanisms (like: inhibiting the activity of antigen presenting cells, and suppressing the activity of T lymphocyte cells, macrophages, and so on.), migration to injured areas, and participation in healing processes. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are a type of these cells which can be commonly used in bone research with the promising results. These cells function by releasing a large number of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Exosomes are the most major EVs products produced by BMMSCs. They have the same contents and properties as their parent cells; however, these structures don’t have the defects of cell therapy. Proteins (annexins, tetraspannins, etc.), lipids (cholesterol, phosphoglycerides, etc.), nucleic acids (micro-RNAs, and etc.) and other substances are found in exosomes. Exosomes affect target cells, causing them to change their function.
  • Methods: The features of BMMSC exosomes’ mechanism in osteogenesis and bone regeneration (like: effects on other MSCs, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and angiogenesis) and also the effects of their micro RNAs on osteogenesis are the subject of the present review.
  • Results: In today’s researches, the use of exosomes to treat diseases has attracted much attention. These particles with the capability of carrying different elements, with the origin of the secretory cells, and influence on the fate of receptor cells, along with the lack of problems and complexities of cell use have shown good potential in researches, especially bone studies. In order conduct more advanced studies and achieve clinical applications, it is necessary to study exosomes with different cellular sources in terms of their contents, composition, and the extent and manner of their effect on bone repair.
  • Conclusion: BMMSC exosomes in the field of bone problems have competitive capabilities when compared to other MSCs. These capacities include increasing the proliferation of MSCs and osteoblasts, stimulating bone differentiation of stem cells, increasing angiogenic activity, increasing bone repair and regeneration, and so on. Therefore, it can be logical to consider the application of BMMSCs-derived exosomes as one of the best approaches in bone regeneration.
  • Keywords: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell · Exosome · Osteogenesis · Bone regeneration