Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a new possible therapeutic strategy for Parkinson’s disease

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) are nano-sized extracellular vesicles that have low immunogenicity and the ability to transfer the effective substances enriched in stem cells freely and reported experimental studies have demonstrated MSC-Exos have effects on some diseases. As the second most predominant neurodegenerative disease worldwide, Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by severe progressive motor dysfunction caused by loss of dopaminergic neurons (DAn) and dopamine depletion. Since MSC-Exos serve as a beneficial promoter of neuroprotection and neurodifferentiation, in this article, we will summarize the application of MSC-Exos in PD treatment and the possible therapeutic mechanisms, especially the role of microRNAs included in MSC-Exos in the cellular and molecular basis of PD, and discuss the potential application prospects against PD.