Extracellular Vesicles from human umbilical cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells: a potential delivery system for RNA interference-based therapeutics in cancer

Abstract

Stem Cell Therapy is currently being extensively investigated as a novel treatment approach in disease models and patients. Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) have garnered recognition as a promising reservoir for cancer therapy, offering potential as carriers for therapeutic compounds in cancer gene therapy initiatives. Recent research indicates that the therapeutic benefits of such approaches are driven by Extracellular Vesicles (EVs), released by cells and comprise a diverse array of biomolecules, including lipids, proteins, cytokines, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs), micro-RNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which play a role in stimulating various endogenous processes in target cells or tissues. Specific types of miRNAs are commonly associated with cell adhesion, protein translation/stabilization, immune response, cell proliferation and platelet aggregation. This review delves into the intricate communication network between MSCs and cancer, with a particular focus on the involvement of MSC-derived EVs encapsulating miRNAs. Through a comprehensive survey of literature databases, we elucidate the pivotal role of miRNAs in tumor development, where they function as potent regulators of gene expression post-transcriptionally, exerting either oncogenic or tumor-suppressive effects.