Stem cell exosomes are nanoscale membrane vesicles released from stem cells of various origins that can regulate signal transduction pathways between liver cells, and their functions in intercellular communication have been recognized. Due to their natural substance transport properties and excellent biocompatibility, exosomes can also be used as drug carriers to release a variety of substances, which has great prospects in the treatment of critical and incurable diseases. Different types of stem cell exosomes have been used to study liver diseases. Due to current difficulties in the treatment of acute liver failure (ALF), this review will outline the potential of stem cell exosomes for ALF treatment. Specifically, we reviewed the pathogenesis of acute liver failure and the latest progress in the use of stem cell exosomes in the treatment of ALF, including the role of exosomes in inhibiting the ALF inflammatory response and regulating signal transduction pathways, the advantages of stem cell exosomes and their use as a drug-loading system, and their pre-clinical application in the treatment of ALF. Finally, the clinical research status of stem cell therapy for ALF and the current challenges of exosome clinical transformation are summarized.
Keywords: acute liver failure; drug-loading systems; exosomes; mesenchymal stem cell; pre-clinical application.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine published by Foundation for Cellular and Molecular Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.