Unleashing the potential of extracellular vesicles for ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease therapy

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disorders (IBD), comprising Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). They pose significant treatment challenges due to their complex etiology. Current therapies focus on reducing inflammation but often prove inadequate, leading to a substantial need for novel approaches. Cell therapy looks promising, especially using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) and their secretome, including extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are nano-sized vesicles that are non-replicating and carry bioactive molecules that modulate immune responses, promote tissue repair, can facilitate drug delivery and, therefore, hold great therapeutic promise. This review summarizes the role of EVs as a cell-free therapy for IBD, highlighting opportunities for further investigation and potential clinical applications.

Keywords

• Ulcerative colitis
• Crohn's disease
• Mesenchymal stromal cells
• Extracellular vesicles
• Immunomodulation
• Regeneration