Researchers have made a significant stride in the potential treatment of diabetic retinopathy, a major cause of vision loss in adults. A new study reveals that small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can protect cells in the retina.
These sEVs deliver a specific microRNA molecule, miR-125a-5p, into Müller cells, the main glial cells in the retina. The delivery of miR-125a-5p helps regulate mitophagy, a process where damaged mitochondria are removed from cells, and modulates the PTP1B signaling pathway. By refining mitophagy regulation via miR-125a-5p, the MSC-derived sEVs restore mitochondrial function, curbing apoptotic cascades and promoting Müller cell resilience amid hyperglycemic conditions.
This innovative approach marks a significant advancement in combating diabetic retinopathy-related retinal damage, offering a less invasive strategy to prevent vision loss and potentially aid in other diseases involving cell damage. The findings, published in Cell Death Discovery in May 2025, highlight the therapeutic potential of MSC-derived sEVs in managing chronic degenerative diseases by recalibrating disrupted cellular homeostasis.