Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes are beneficial to suppressing inflammation and promoting autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration

Intervertebral disc degenerative diseases (IDDD) is one the main causes of lumbago, and its main pathological mechanism is intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). In previous reports, mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-exosomes can slow down or even reverse degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in IDD. Thus, we attempted to clarify specific role of MSC-exosomes underlying IDD progression. In the present study, the harvested particles were identified as MSC-exosomes. MSC-exosomes facilitated activation of autophagy pathway in AGE-treated NP cells. MSC-exosomes repressed inflammatory response in AGE-treated NP cells. Autophagy pathway activation enhanced inflammatory response in AGE-stimulated NP cells. MSC-exosomes facilitated autophagy pathway activation and repressed inflammation in IDD rats. Autophagy inhibition exerted a protective role against inflammatory response in IDD rats. In conclusion, MSC-exosomes represses inflammation via activating autophagy pathway, which provides a potential novel insight for seeking therapeutic plans of IDD.