Current neuropharmacologyAug 20, 2021

How Tiny Cell Particles, Stem Cells, and Small RNAs May Relate to Brain Cell Damage

Updated Feb 18, 2026

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by all cells play a crucial role in intercellular communication.

EVs contain proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that influence the microenvironment of recipient cells.
Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) EVs are involved in maintaining physiological function and providing neuroprotection in the nervous system.
Deregulation of EV communication may contribute to several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
The information carried by EVs can reflect the internal state of the originating cells, suggesting potential diagnostic uses.
Engineered MSC-EVs could offer new therapeutic avenues for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

Simplified

There are different modalities of intercellular communication governed by cellular homeostasis. In this review, we will explore one of these forms of communication called extracellular vesicles (EVs). These vesicles are released by all cells in the body and are heterogeneous in nature. The primary function of EVs is to share information through their cargo consisting of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA, dsDNA etc.) with other cells, which have a direct consequence on their microenvironment. We will focus on the role of EVs of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the nervous system and how these participate in intercellular communication to maintain physiological function and provide neuroprotection. However, deregulation of this same communication system could play a role in several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, prion disease and Huntington's disease. The release of EVs from a cell provides crucial information to what is happening inside the cell and thus could be used in diagnostics and therapy. We will discuss and explore new avenues for the clinical applications of using engineered MSC-EVs and their potential therapeutic benefit in treating neurodegenerative diseases.

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Abstract

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