Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 28, 2025 2 days, 23 hours, 55 minutes ago
Medical News: Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability worldwide, affecting millions of people each year. A stroke occurs when the brain's blood supply is blocked, leading to damage in brain tissues. One of the key problems in stroke recovery is the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a protective layer that regulates what enters the brain from the bloodstream. When the BBB is damaged, harmful substances can leak into the brain, worsening the injury and making recovery more difficult.
Stem Cell Derived Vesicles as a New Hope for Stroke Recovery
For years, scientists have searched for ways to repair the BBB and help stroke patients recover faster. Traditional treatments mainly focus on dissolving blood clots, but these methods sometimes cause further damage to the BBB. This
Medical News report highlights a new approach: using extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to repair the BBB and improve stroke outcomes.
The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Stroke Recovery
Recent studies by researchers from the Institute of Experimental Medicine of the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University in Prague, Czechia, suggest that MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) could be a game-changer in stroke recovery. These tiny particles, naturally released by stem cells, contain proteins, RNA, and other molecules that help cells communicate and heal. Scientists believe that MSC-EVs can help restore the BBB and protect neurons from further damage.
MSC-EVs work by delivering beneficial molecules, such as microRNAs, to damaged brain cells. These molecules help strengthen blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and promote the repair of brain tissues. Studies have shown that when MSC-EVs are injected into stroke models, they significantly improve BBB integrity, reducing brain swelling and limiting the damage caused by stroke.
Key Study Findings
The research focused on how MSC-EVs help rebuild the BBB after an ischemic stroke, which is the most common type of stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel. Key findings from the study include:
-Improved Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity: MSC-EVs help rebuild the protective layer by increasing the production of proteins like occludin and claudin-5, which strengthen the barrier and prevent harmful substances from entering the brain.
-Enhanced Blood Vessel Growth: The vesicles promote angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, which improves oxygen and nutrient delivery to the damaged brain areas.
-Reduced Inflammation and Cell Death: MSC-EVs contain molecules that lower inflammation and protect neurons from dying, helping the brain heal faster.
-Potential for Non-Invasive Treatment: Unlike direct stem cell therapy, which may have risks, MSC-EVs can be administered without requiring complex procedures, making them a promising future treatment for
stroke patients.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
While the research on MSC-EVs is promising, challenges remain before this therapy can be widely used in medical practice. Scientists need to optimize the best ways to produce, store, and deliver these vesicles efficiently. Large-scale clinical trials are also needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness in human patients.
Despite these challenges, the use of MSC-EVs represents an exciting new approach to stroke treatment. If further studies confirm their benefits, they could be developed into a revolutionary therapy that helps millions of stroke survivors regain their quality of life.
Conclusion
The discovery that MSC-derived extracellular vesicles can aid in stroke recovery by repairing the blood-brain barrier offers new hope for patients. By promoting blood vessel growth, reducing inflammation, and strengthening the BBB, these tiny particles could play a significant role in future stroke treatments. While more research is needed, scientists remain optimistic about their potential to change the way strokes are treated.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fncel.2025.1503193/full
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Medical News.
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