Frontiers in Immunology (Nov 2022)

Mesenchymal stromal cell extracellular vesicles for multiple sclerosis in preclinical rodent models: A meta-analysis

  • Chengfeng Xun,
  • Chengfeng Xun,
  • Chengfeng Xun,
  • Huiyin Deng,
  • Jing Zhao,
  • Lite Ge,
  • Lite Ge,
  • Lite Ge,
  • Zhiping Hu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.972247
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13

Abstract

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IntroductionExtracellular vesicles (EVs), especially mesenchymal stem (stromal) cell-derived EVs (MSC-EVs), have gained attention as potential novel treatments for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, their effects remain incompletely understood. Thus, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to systematically review the efficacy of MSC-EVs in preclinical rodent models of MS.MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Web of Science databases up to August 2021 for studies that reported the treatment effects of MSC-EVs in rodent MS models. The clinical score was extracted as an outcome. Articles were peer-reviewed by two authors based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 15.1 and R.ResultsA total of twelve animal studies met the inclusion criteria. In our study, the MSC-EVs had a positive overall effect on the clinical score with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -2.17 (95% confidence interval (CI)):-3.99 to -0.34, P = 0.01). A significant amount of heterogeneity was observed among the studies.ConclusionsThis meta-analysis suggests that transplantation of MSC-EVs in MS rodent models improved functional recovery. Additionally, we identified several critical knowledge gaps, such as insufficient standardized dosage units and uncertainty regarding the optimal dose of MSC-EVs transplantation in MS. These gaps must be addressed before clinical trials can begin with MSC-EVs.

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