title: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived microparticles: a promising therapeutic strategy.
abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that give rise to various cell types of the mesodermal germ layer. Because of their unique ability to home in on injured and cancerous tissues, MSCs are of great potential in regenerative medicine. MSCs also contribute to reparative processes in different pathological conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and cancer. However, many studies have shown that only a small proportion of transplanted MSCs can actually survive and be incorporated into host tissues. The effects of MSCs cannot be fully explained by their number. Recent discoveries suggest that microparticles (MPs) derived from MSCs may be important for the physiological functions of their parent. Though the physiological role of MSC-MPs is currently not well understood, inspiring results indicate that, in tissue repair and anti-cancer therapy, MSC-MPs have similar pro-regenerative and protective properties as their cellular counterparts. Thus, MSC-MPs represent a promising approach that may overcome the obstacles and risks associated with the use of native or engineered MSCs.
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, College of Medicine, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China. xitan5005@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, College of Medicine, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China. gongyongzhen@126.com.
authors.forename: Yong-Zhen
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, College of Medicine, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China. pingwu@xtu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, College of Medicine, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China. dfliao66@aliyun.com.
authors.forename: Duan-Fang
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, College of Medicine, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, China. xlzheng@ucalgary.ca.
authors.forename: Xi-Long
authors.initials: XL
authors.lastname: Zheng
mesh_terms: D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology