Ten years of research on extracellular vesicles derived from mesenchymal cells for the treatment of lung diseases

Abstract

Pulmonary diseases possess high rates of morbidity and mortality throughout the world and without effective treatment for these diseases, new options emerge. In the last decade, attention has focused on extracellular vesicles derived from stromal mesenchymal cells (VECM) due to their immunomodulatory, regenerative, antimicrobial, antiviral and antifibrotic properties that surpass the properties of mesenchymal stromal cells themselves. Consequently, we present this review with the purpose of gathering the knowledge generated in the 10 years of research on the therapeutic application of VECM in pulmonary pathologies, including the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that has plagued the world in the past months. The information presented in this article demonstrates that although further research is required to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action and efficacy, VECM represent a promising therapy option for the treatment of a wide variety of lung diseases.