Pre-treated mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: A new perspective for accelerating spinal cord injury repair

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating event for the central nervous system (CNS), often resulting in the loss of sensory and motor functions. It profoundly affects both the physiological and psychological well-being of patients, reducing their quality of life while also imposing significant economic pressure on families and the healthcare system. Due to the complex pathophysiology of SCI, effective treatments for promoting recovery remain scarce. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) offer advantages such as low immunogenicity, good biocompatibility, and the ability to cross the blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB). In preclinical studies, they have progressively shown efficacy in promoting SCI repair and functional recovery. However, the low yield and insufficient targeting of MSC-Exos limit their therapeutic efficacy. Currently, genetic engineering and other preprocessing techniques are being employed to optimize both the yield and functional properties of exosomes, thereby enhancing their therapeutic potential. Therefore, this paper provides an overview of the pathophysiology of SCI and the biogenesis of exosomes. It also summarizes current approaches to optimizing exosome performance. Additionally, it details the mechanisms through which optimized exosomes provide neuroprotection and explores the potential of combined treatments involving MSC-Exos and hydrogels.