Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and non-coding RNAs: Regulatory and therapeutic role in liver diseases

Liver disease has become a major health problem worldwide due to its high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, a large body of literature has shown that mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) are able to play similar physiological roles as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). More importantly, there is no immune rejection caused by transplanted cells and the risk of tumor formation, which has become a new strategy for the treatment of various liver diseases. Moreover, accumulating evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are the main effectors by which they exert hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, by searching the databases of Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and CNKI, this review comprehensively reviewed the therapeutic effects of MSC-Exo and ncRNAs in liver diseases, including liver injury, liver fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. According to the data, the therapeutic effects of MSC-Exo and ncRNAs on liver diseases are closely related to a variety of molecular mechanisms, including inhibition of inflammatory response, alleviation of liver oxidative stress, inhibition of apoptosis of hepatocytes and endothelial cells, promotion of angiogenesis, blocking the cell cycle of hepatocellular carcinoma, and inhibition of activation and proliferation of hepatic stellate cells. These important findings will provide a direction and basis for us to explore the potential of MSC-Exo and ncRNAs in the clinical treatment of liver diseases in the future.

Automated summary

Liver disease is a major global health problem with high morbidity and mortality. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exo) have shown similar physiological effects as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), providing a new strategy for liver disease treatment without immune rejection or tumor formation. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a key role in the therapeutic effects of MSC-Exo, and this review comprehensively explores the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic effects on liver diseases, including liver injury, fibrosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. These findings provide a basis for future exploration of MSC-Exo and ncRNAs in clinical liver disease treatment.