Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes: A Novel Approach to Diabetes-Associated Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

The progression of diabetes frequently results in a myriad of neurological disorders, including ischemic stroke, depression, blood-brain barrier impairment, and cognitive dysfunction. Notably, diabetes-associated cognitive impairment, a prevalent comorbidity during the course of diabetes, progressively affects patients’ cognitive abilities and may reciprocally influence diabetes management, thereby severely impacting patients’ quality of life. Extracellular vesicles, particularly nanoscale exosomes, have garnered considerable attention in recent years. These exosomes carry and transfer various functional molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and diverse non-coding RNAs, serving as novel regulators and communicators in intercellular interactions. Of particular interest, mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) have been reported to traverse the blood-brain barrier and ameliorate intracerebral pathologies. This review elucidates the role of MSC-Exos in diabetes-related cognitive impairment, with a focus on their applications as biomarkers, modulation of neuronal regeneration and synaptic plasticity, anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidative effects, and their involvement in regulating the functionality of β-amyloid proteins during the course of cognitive impairment. The immense therapeutic potential of MSC-Exos in the treatment of diabetes-induced cognitive dysfunction is emphasized.

Keywords:

• diabetes-associated cognitive impairment
• mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes
• blood-brain barrier
• neuronal regeneration
• synaptic plasticity

Data Sharing Statement

The current study was based on the results of relevant published studies.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declared that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This review was funded by the Innovation Fund (No.CI2021A04803), Scientific research project of Guangdong Provincial Bureau of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Medicine (No.20231290), Shenzhen Pingshan District Health System Research Project (No.202232) and Natural Science Foundation of Jilin Province (No. YDZJ202301ZYTS475).