Extracellular Vesicles for Muscle Atrophy Treatment

Skeletal muscle atrophy is a progressive chronic disease associated with various conditions, such as aging, cancer, and muscular dystrophy. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is highly correlated with or plays a crucial role in inducing skeletal muscle atrophy. Extracellular vehicles (EVs), including exosomes, mediate cell-cell communication, and alterations in the genetic material contained in EVs during muscle atrophy may impair muscle cell signaling. Transplantation of muscle progenitor cell-derived EVs (MPC-EVs) is a promising approach for treating muscle diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Moreover, stem cell-derived EVs with modification of microRNAs (e.g., miR-26 and miR-29) have been reported to attenuate muscle atrophy. Unbiased RNA-Seq analysis suggests that MPC-EVs may exert an inhibitory effect on IL-6 pathway. Here, we review the latest advances concerning the mechanisms of stem cell/progenitor cell-derived EVs in alleviating muscle atrophy, including anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. We also discuss the clinical application of EVs in the treatment of muscle atrophy.