Stem cell-derived exosomes as a potential therapy for schistosomal hepatic fibrosis in experimental animals

Theodor Bilharz Research Institute

Bibliographic Information

Authors: Ellakany A.R.; El Baz H.; Shoheib Z.S.; Elzallat M.; Ashour D.S.; Yassen N.A.

Journal: Pathogens and Global Health

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Publication Date: 30 July 2023

Volume / Issue: Volume 118 / Issue 5

Pages: 429–449

ISSN: 20477724

DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2023.2240085

Scopus: View on Scopus

PubMed: 37519008

Document Type: Article

Access: All Open Access; Green Open Access

Authors and Affiliations

Ellakany A.R., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; El Baz H., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt; Shoheib Z.S., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; Elzallat M., Immunology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Cairo, Egypt; Ashour D.S., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt; Yassen N.A., Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease. Egg-induced granuloma formation and tissue fibrosis are the main causes of the high morbidity and mortality of schistosomiasis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes play an important role with a superior safety profile than MSCs in the treatment of liver fibrosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of MSCs-derived exosomes on schistosomal hepatic fibrosis. Exosomes were isolated from bone marrow MSCs and characterized. A total of 85 mice were divided into four groups: group I (control group), group II (PZQ group) infected and treated with PZQ, group III (EXO group) infected and treated with MSCs-derived exosomes and group IV (PZQ+EXO group) infected and treated with both PZQ and MSCs-derived exosomes. Assessment of treatment efficacy was evaluated by histopathological and immunohistochemical examination of liver sections by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). The results showed significant reduction of the number and diameter of hepatic granulomas, hepatic fibrosis, upregulation of PCNA expression and reduction of NF-κB expression in EXO and PZQ+EXO groups as compared to other groups at all durations post infection. Additionally, more improvement was observed in PZQ+EXO group. In conclusion, MSCs-derived exosomes are a promising agent for the treatment of schistosomal hepatic fibrosis, and their combination with PZQ shows a synergistic action including antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, further studies are required to establish their functional components and their mechanisms of action. © 2023 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

beads-based flow cytometry; liver fibrosis; NF-κB; PCNA; Schistosomiasis; stem cell-derived exosomes; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Exosomes; Female; Liver; Liver Cirrhosis; Male; Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Mice; NF-kappa B; Praziquantel; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; Treatment Outcome; cycline; immunoglobulin enhancer binding protein; animal experiment; animal model; animal tissue; apoptosis; Article; cell infiltration; cell proliferation; cell viability; chondrocyte; controlled study; exosome; histopathology; immunophenotyping; immunoreactivity; mesenchymal stem cell; mouse; MTT assay; nonhuman; photon correlation spectroscopy; protein expression; real time polymerase chain reaction; ultracentrifugation; animal; disease model; metabolism; parasitology; pathology; therapy; transplantation

Citation Information

Scopus Citations: 6

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