Melatonin-pretreated mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes alleviate cavernous fibrosis in a rat model of nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction via miR-145-5p/TGF-β/Smad axis

Quick Facts

  • Publication title: Melatonin-pretreated mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes alleviate cavernous fibrosis in a rat model of nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction via miR-145-5p/TGF-β/Smad axis
  • Journal: Stem Cell Res Ther
  • Year: 2025
  • DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04173-0
  • PMID/PMCID: 40001250; PMC11863846

Research overview

Cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction (CNI-ED) is a common complication after radical prostatectomy. Conventional treatment approaches have had little success in treating the severe cavernous fibrosis which is a consequence of CNI-ED.

Key findings

Intracavernous injection of MT-hASC-EVs significantly restored erectile function and reduced the extent of corpus cavernosum fibrosis in the CNI-ED rat model.

MT-hASC-EVs promoted the proliferation and anti-apoptotic effects of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in vitro.

Mechanistically, MT-hASC-EVs inhibit fibrosis by delivering miR-145-5p, which targets TGF-β2/Smad3 axis.

Study design

Pre-treatment of adipose-derived stem cells with melatonin allows for the extraction of active exosomes (MT-hASC-EVs) from the conditioned medium.

The therapeutic effects of MT-hASC-EVs were assessed in a rat model of CNI-ED, and the anti-fibrotic properties were evaluated.

MicroRNA sequencing was used to identify specific microRNAs highly expressed in MT-hASC-EVs, and differential microRNAs were screened for regulatory pathways through target gene enrichment analysis.

Echo Biotech Role

Echo Biotech contributed cargo loading; the study also used or cited ExoLoad®.

Related platforms: Echosome®, Research Reagents & Tools

Related services and capabilities: Small RNA / Cargo Loading, Research Reagent / Product Supply

Related products or reagents: ExoLoad® Nucleic Acid Loading Kit

References

Original publication: Melatonin-pretreated mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes alleviate cavernous fibrosis in a rat model of nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction via miR-145-5p/TGF-β/Smad axis Stem cell research & therapy. 2025. DOI: 10.1186/s13287-025-04173-0. PMID/PMCID: 40001250; PMC11863846.