Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles demonstrate significant therapeutic potential for treating type 2 diabetes by improving insulin resistance, modulating inflammation, and promoting tissue repair.
MSC-EVs offer a promising cell-free therapeutic approach for managing type 2 diabetes and its complications, though clinical translation requires overcoming production and standardization challenges.
Abstract Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its complications represent a complex disorder involving multiple pathophysiological processes. Although conventional therapeutic approaches partially regulate blood glucose, they fail to fundamentally reverse disease progression or effectively prevent complications. This review summarizes the current research advance and challenges of using different forms of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in treating T2D and complications. It begins with an introduction to the characteristics of MSC-EVs. Subsequently, the mechanisms and therapeutic prospects of natural MSC-EVs are analyzed, with a focus on their roles in inflammatory modulation, tissue regeneration, and improving insulin resistance. Engineering MSC-EVs, covering strategies including optimizing MSC culture conditions, modifying EV contents, and establishing MSC-EV delivery systems based on bioactive materials are then discussed, which boost EV yield and quality while enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Current challenges, including the limited yield and high heterogeneity of natural MSC-EVs, as well as issues related to long-term safety, immunocompatibility, and large-scale production of engineered MSC-EVs are finally overviewed, with emphasizing artificial intelligence in guiding future research directions. These summaries are crucial for clinical translation of MSC-EVs and will ultimately provide T2D patients with an effective and safe treatment option.
Zhang et al. (2026) conducted a review in Type 2 diabetes and its complications. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) was evaluated. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles demonstrate significant therapeutic potential for treating type 2 diabetes by improving insulin resistance, modulating inflammation, and promoting tissue repair.