Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Improve Osteoporosis by Inhibiting Osteoblasts Apoptosis

Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease which is characterized by loss of bone mineral content, decreased bone density, destruction of bone microstructure, and declined bone biomechanical evaluation index. In recent years, it was shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are involved in the form of exosomes, which has become a hot spot in the research of the pathogenesis of metabolic diseases. In this study, we intend to explore the effects of exosomes derived from MSCs on osteoblast apoptosis and OP. MSC-derived exosomes were obtained by ultracentrifugation and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Exosomes were used to treat osteoblasts to observe cell apoptosis. The expression of apoptosis-related protein was detected by Western blot. Cell viability was examined by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. TEM confirmed successfully extracted MSCs-derived exosomes. Exosomes intervention significantly reduced the expression of apoptosis-related pro-apoptotic proteins cytochrome c and caspase3, enhanced cell viability, and attenuated cell apoptosis in osteoblasts. MSCs-derived exosomes can inhibit osteoblasts apoptosis by suppressing apoptosis signaling pathways, thus improving osteoporosis, indicating that they might be used for the treatment of osteoporosis.