The Neuroprotective Effects of Microglial Exosomes on Central Nervous System Injury
AN Yang1, SU Gang2, CHEN Wei1, ZHU Longni1, ZHANG Zhenchang1*
Central nervous system injuries, encompassing stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, and neurodegenerative diseases, constitute a significant global health challenge. As the primary immune cells in the brain, microglia rapidly respond to pathophysiological alterations induced by central nervous system injuries, playing a complex yet pivotal role in neurological disorders. Research indicates that microglia regulate pathological progression of neurological diseases through multiple mechanisms, among which exosome-mediated neuroprotective mechanisms have emerged as a crucial research direction for therapeutic interventions. Recent studies have demonstrated that microglia-derived exosomes exert multifaceted neuroprotective effects through their bioactive molecular cargo (nucleic acids, proteins, etc.). These vesicles not only effectively suppress neuronal programmed death and modulate neuroinflammatory responses, but also inhibit astrocyte overactivation and glial scar formation, while promoting synaptic remodeling and axonal regeneration, thereby creating a favorable microenvironment for neural repair. Furthermore, exosomes contribute to the maintenance of neural homeostasis by facilitating blood-brain barrier structural remodeling. These pleiotropic effects collectively form a critical molecular network underlying neuroprotection, significantly ameliorating pathological progression and clinical outcomes in various neurological disorders, and demonstrating significant therapeutic potential. This review systematically elaborates recent advances in microglial exosome research within central nervous system diseases, comprehensively analyzes their molecular mechanisms, and provides novel theoretical foundations and research perspectives for developing exosome-based targeted therapeutic strategies.
CN
EN