Table 1

Published studies of mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes in ischaemic stroke

AnimalsStroke modelTime of treatmentRoutes of exosome deliveryExosome modificationsProposed mechanismsRef
Rat2 hours tMCAO24 hours after ischaemiaTail veinNoPromote neurite remodelling, neurogenesis and angiogenesis 80
Mouse30 min tMCAO1, 3 and 5 days after ischaemiaFemoral veinNoImmunomodulation 82
Rat30 min tMCAO1, 3 and 5 days after ischaemiaFemoral veinNoImmunomodulation 81
RatpMCAO48 hours after ischaemiaCommon carotid arteryNoPromote angiogenesis, neurogenesis, anti-inflammation 83
Ovine fetuses25 min global hypoxia-ischaemia1 hour and 4 days after ischaemiaIntravenouslyNoPreserve baroreceptor reflex sensitivity and reduce white matter injury 152
Rat2 hours tMCAO24 hours after ischaemiaIntravenouslyEnriched in miR-17-92 clusterEnhance oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis and neurite remodelling 97
Mouse30 min tMCAOOnce every other day for 14 days after ischaemiaTail veinRGD-exosomes loaded with miR-210Promote VEGF expression and angiogenesis 147
MousePhotothrombosis24 hours after ischaemiaTail veinRVG-exosomes loaded with miR-124Promote neurogenesis 98
RatEndothelin-1 subcortical stroke24 hours after ischaemiaTail veinNoPromote white matter repair 90
Mouse5 min bilateral common carotid arteries occlusionRight before ischaemiaIntracerebroventricular injectionNoInhibition of Cox-2 expression 89
Rat2 hours tMCAOImmediately after ischaemiaTail veinNoReduce oedema 84
RatPerinatal brain injuryBefore ischaemiaIntranasallyNoNeuroprotection, anti-inflammation 88
Rat2 hours tMCAO24 hours after ischaemiaIntra-arteriallyEnriched with miR-134bPromote neurite remodelling 153
Macaca mulattaCortical hand cerebral injury24 hours and 14 days post injuryIntravenouslyNoNot studied 154
Aged macaca mulattaCortical hand cerebral injury24 hours and 14 days post injuryIntravenouslyNoReduce inflammation, shift microglia towards restorative functions 85
Macaca mulattaCortical hand cerebral injury24 hours and 14 days post injuryIntravenouslyNoDampen injury-related hyperexcitability restores excitatory–inhibitory balance 86

  • RVG, rabies virus glycoprotein; tMCAO, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor.