Intranasal delivery of small extracellular vesicles from specific subpopulation of mesenchymal stem cells mitigates traumatic spinal cord injury

Vascular injury following spinal cord injury (SCI) can significantly exacerbate secondary SCI and result in neurological dysfunction. Strategies targeting angiogenesis have demonstrated potential in enhancing functional recovery post-SCI. In the context of angiogenesis, the CD146+ and CD271+ subpopulations of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been recognized for their angiogenic capabilities in tissue repair. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from MSCs are nanoscale vesicles containing rich bioactive components that play a crucial role in tissue regeneration. However, the precise role of sEVs derived from CD146+CD271+ UCMSCs (CD146+CD271+ UCMSC-sEVs) in SCI remain unclear. In this study, CD146+CD271+ UCMSC-sEVs were non-invasively administered via intranasal delivery, demonstrating a significant capacity to stimulate angiogenesis and improve functional recovery in mice following SCI. Furthermore, in vitro assessments revealed the effective enhancement of migration and tube formation capabilities of the murine brain microvascular endothelial cell line (bEnd.3) by CD146+CD271+UCMSC-sEVs. MicroRNA array analysis confirmed significant enrichment of multiple microRNAs within CD146+CD271+ UCMSC-sEVs. Subsequent in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that CD146+CD271+ UCMSC-sEVs promote enhanced angiogenesis and improved functional recovery mediated by miR-27a-3p. Further mechanistic studies revealed that miR-27a-3p sourced from CD146+CD271+ UCMSC-sEVs enhances migration and tube formation of bEnd.3 cells in vitro by suppressing the expression of Delta Like Canonical Notch Ligand 4 (DLL4), thereby promoting angiogenesis in vivo. Collectively, our results demonstrate that a crucial role of CD146+CD271+ UCMSC-sEVs in inhibiting DLL4 through the transfer of miR-27a-3p, which leads to the promotion of angiogenesis and improved functional recovery after SCI.