Abstract
Exosomes are small biological membrane vesicles secreted by various cells, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We previously reported that MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Ex) can elicit hepatoprotective effects against toxicant-induced injury. However, the success of MSC-Ex-based therapy for treatment of liver diseases and the underlying mechanisms have not been well characterized. We used human umbilical cord MSC-derived exosome (hucMSC-Ex) administrated by tail vein or oral gavage at different doses and, in engrafted liver mouse models, noted antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects and rescue from liver failure. A single systemic administration of hucMSC-Ex (16 mg/kg) effectively rescued the recipient mice from carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4))-induced liver failure. Moreover, hucMSC-Ex-derived glutathione peroxidase1 (GPX1), which detoxifies CCl(4) and H(2)O(2), reduced oxidative stress and apoptosis. Knockdown of GPX1 in hucMSCs abrogated antioxidant and anti-apoptotic abilities of hucMSC-Ex and diminished the hepatoprotective effects of hucMSC-Ex in vitro and in vivo. Thus, hucMSC-Ex promote the recovery of hepatic oxidant injury through the delivery of GPX1.