Exosomes Secreted by Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Attenuate Diabetes in Mice

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy is an innovative approach in diabetes due to its capacity to modulate tissue microenvironment and regeneration of glucose-responsive insulin-producing cells. In this study, we investigated the role of MSC-derived exosomes in pancreatic regeneration and insulin secretion in mice with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated and characterized from umbilical cord blood (UCB). Exosomes were isolated and characterized from these MSCs. Diabetes was induced in male C57Bl/6 mice by streptozotocin (STZ; 40 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) for five consecutive days. The diabetic mice were administered (i.v.) with MSC (1×105 umbilical cord blood MSC cells/mice/day), their derived exosomes (the MSC-Exo group that received exosomes derived from 1×105 MSC cells/mice/day), or the same volume of PBS. Before administration, the potency of MSCs and their exosomes was evaluated in vitro by T cell activation experiments. After day 7 of the treatments, blood samples and pancreatic tissues were collected. Histochemistry was performed to check cellular architecture and β cell regeneration. In body weight, blood glucose level, and insulin level, cell proliferation assay was done to confirm regeneration of cells after MSC and MSC-Exo treatments. Hyperglycemia was also attenuated in these mice with a concomitant increase in insulin production and an improved histological structure compared to mice in the PBS-treated group. We found increased expression of genes associated with tissue regeneration pathways, including Reg2, Reg3, and Amy2b in the pancreatic tissue of mice treated with MSC or MSC-Exo relative to PBS-treated mice. MicroRNA profiling of MSC-derived exosomes showed the presence of miRs that may facilitate pancreatic regeneration by regulating the Extl3-Reg-cyclinD1 pathway. These results demonstrate a potential therapeutic role of umbilical cord blood MSC-derived exosomes in attenuating insulin deficiency by activating pancreatic islets' regenerative abilities.