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World J Stem Cells. Nov 26, 2023; 15(11): 989-998
Published online Nov 26, 2023. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i11.989
How to enhance the ability of mesenchymal stem cells to alleviate intervertebral disc degeneration
Qing-Xiang Zhang, Min Cui
Qing-Xiang Zhang, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Qing-Xiang Zhang, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Wuhan Jinyintan Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430048, Hubei Province, China
Min Cui, Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China
Author contributions: Zhang QX wrote the manuscript and collected the data; Cui M revised and approved the manuscript; all authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 82202766; Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province of China, No. 2022CFB686; Science Foundation of Union Hospital, No. 2021xhyn102; Scientific Research Training Program for Young Talents in Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China.
Conflict-of-interest statement: There is no conflict of interest associated with this manuscript.
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: Min Cui, MD, PhD, Associate Chief Physician, Associate Professor, Doctor, Department of Orthopedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, No. 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan 430022, Hubei Province, China. cm95588@hust.edu.cn
Received: July 17, 2023
Peer-review started: July 17, 2023
First decision: August 22, 2023
Revised: September 14, 2023
Accepted: November 16, 2023
Article in press: November 16, 2023
Published online: November 26, 2023
Core Tip

Core Tip: Mesenchymal stem cells have a strong self-renewal capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential, and their secreted vesicles promote regeneration of myeloid cells, increase extracellular matrix production, and alleviate inflammatory status. We reviewed the current relevant targets of stem cell exosomes for the treatment of intervertebral discs and the adjuvant tools used in conjunction with stem cell therapy. This will help to improve the therapeutic efficacy of stem cells and their exosomes, which will also contribute to development of more efficient treatment strategies and approaches for the restoration of disc degeneration.