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World J Stem Cells. Jun 26, 2022; 14(6): 365-371
Published online Jun 26, 2022. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v14.i6.365
Disagreements in the therapeutic use of mesenchymal stem cell-derived secretome
Ferenc Sipos, Györgyi Műzes
Ferenc Sipos, Györgyi Műzes, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Budapest 1088, Hungary
Author contributions: Sipos F and Műzes G contributed to study conception and design, data collection, analysis and interpretation of results, and manuscript preparation.
Supported by Startup Program of Semmelweis University Faculty of Medicine, No. SE10332470.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Ferenc Sipos, MD, PhD, Senior Lecturer, Department of Internal Medicine and Hematology, Semmelweis University, Szentkirályi Street 46, Budapest 1088, Hungary. dr.siposf@gmail.com
Received: January 3, 2022
Peer-review started: January 3, 2022
First decision: March 13, 2022
Revised: March 15, 2022
Accepted: May 27, 2022
Article in press: May 27, 2022
Published online: June 26, 2022
Processing time: 171 Days and 14.1 Hours
Abstract

In a recent article, the authors provide a detailed summary of the characteristics and biological functions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as well as a discussion on the potential mechanisms of action of MSC-based therapies. They describe the morphology, biogenesis, and current isolation techniques of exosomes, one of the most important fractions of the MSC-derived secretome. They also summarize the characteristics of MSC-derived exosomes and highlight their functions and therapeutic potential for tissue/organ regeneration and for kidney, liver, cardiovascular, neurological, and musculoskeletal diseases, as well as cutaneous wound healing. Despite the fact that MSCs are regarded as an important pillar of regenerative medicine, their regenerative potential has been demonstrated to be limited in a number of pathological conditions. The negative effects of MSC-based cell therapy have heightened interest in the therapeutic use of MSC-derived secretome. On the other hand, MSC-derived exosomes and microvesicles possess the potential to have a significant impact on disease development, including cancer. MSCs can interact with tumor cells and promote mutual exchange and induction of cellular markers by exchanging secretome. Furthermore, enzymes secreted into and activated within exosomes can result in tumor cells acquiring new properties. As a result, therapeutic applications of MSC-derived secretomes must be approached with extreme caution.

Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells; Secretome; Exosomes; Regeneration; Therapy; Cancer

Core Tip: The authors of a recent article provide a detailed summary of the properties and biological functions of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes, one of the most important fractions of the MSC-derived secretome. However, in addition to their undeniable benefits, there are a number of risks associated with their use. Exosomes have the potential to have a significant impact on the development of diseases such as cancer. The use of MSC-derived secretomes for therapeutic purposes must be approached with extreme caution.