From:  Stem cell-derived exosomes as neurotherapeutic agents: mechanisms of immunomodulation and neural regeneration in neurodegenerative disorders

 Immunomodulatory effects of stem cell-derived exosomes in neuroinflammation.

Immune targetExosomal cargoEffect on immune cellExperimental contextFunctional outcome
MicrogliamiR-146a, miR-124Shifts phenotype from M1 → M2Stroke, PD models↓ Pro-inflammatory cytokines, ↑ trophic activity
AstrocytesmiR-21, miR-124↓ GFAP, ↓ glial scarSpinal cord injury, ischemia↑ Neurite regeneration
T cellsSurface ligands, miR-155 inhibitors↑ Treg proliferation, ↓ cytotoxic T-cell infiltrationAutoimmune & injury models↓ Peripheral inflammation
Systemic cytokinesExosomal miRNAs↓ IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6Multiple CNS disorders↓ Neuroinflammation, ↑ repair environment
Peripheral macrophagesExosomal proteins (Annexin-A1, Alix)Modulate antigen presentationMCAO and PD models↓ Microglial activation

CNS: central nervous system; GFAP: glial fibrillary acidic protein; MCAO: middle cerebral artery occlusion; miRNA: microRNA; PD: Parkinson’s disease; TNF: tumor necrosis factor; IL: interleukin; Treg: regulatory T-cell.