M2 macrophage-derived exosomes carry miR-1271-5p to alleviate cardiac injury in acute myocardial infarction through down-regulating SOX6

•M2 macrophage-derived exosomes facilitate cardiac repair in AMI.•M2 macrophage-derived exosomes regulate hypoxia-induced apoptosis of cardiomyocytes through delivery of miR-1271−5p.•SOX6 is a direct target of miR-1271−5p.•M2 macrophage-derived exosomes alleviated apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia via miR-1271−5p/SOX6 pathway.