Title:Potential Effects of Exosomes and their MicroRNA Carrier on Osteoporosis
Volume: 28
Issue: 11
Author(s): Qi-Cheng Li, Ci Li, Wei Zhang, Wei Pi and Na Han*
Affiliation:
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Key Laboratory of Trauma and Neural Regeneration, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Keywords:
Biomaterial scaffolds, bone remodeling, exosomes, intercellular communication, miRNAs, osteoporosis.
Abstract: Osteoporosis is a common localized or systemic skeletal illness in the clinic, characterized by bone
production weakness and increased bone resorption, resulting in a reduction in bone mineral density (BMD),
and affecting mostly postmenopausal women. The risk of osteoporosis or even osteoporotic fracture increases
as age increases, putting more pressure on society and families. Although anti-osteoporosis drugs have been developed,
some side effects are still observed in the treatment group. Hence the need for more reasonable therapeutic
strategies. Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted virtually by all types of cells
in vivo, which play an important role in intercellular communication. Compared with conventional drugs and
stem cells transplantation therapy, exosomes have apparent advantages of lower toxicity and immunogenicity.
Exosomes contain many functional molecules, such as proteins, lipids, mRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), which
can be transferred into recipient cells to regulate a series of signaling pathways and influence physiological and
pathological behavior. In this review, we briefly summarize the current knowledge of exosomes and the therapeutic
potential of exosomal miRNAs derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), osteoblasts, osteoclasts,
and macrophages in osteoporosis. Finally, a prospect of new treatment strategies for osteoporosis using new
biomaterial scaffolds combined with exosomes is also given.