MSC-derived Exosomal miR-125b-5p Suppressed Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cell Ferroptosis in Diabetic Retinopathy

Quick Facts

• Publication title: MSC-derived Exosomal miR-125b-5p Suppressed Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cell Ferroptosis in Diabetic Retinopathy
• Journal: Stem Cells
• Year: 2025
• DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxaf023
• PMID/PMCID: 40247684

Research overview

In this study, MSC-sEVs mitigated retinal blood-retina barrier (BRB) impairment in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR by reducing ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro. This study indicated the potential therapeutic effect of MSC-sEVs on vascular endothelial function maintenance and that the delivery of sEVs carrying miR-125b-5p could prevent endothelial cell ferroptosis by inhibiting P53, thereby protecting the BRB.

Key findings

Progressive endothelial cell injury of retinal vascular is a vital factor in diabetic retinopathy (DR) pathogenesis.

Mesenchymal stem cells-derived small extracellular vesicles (MSC-sEVs) showed beneficial effects on DR.

However, the effects of MSC-sEVs on endothelial dysfunction of DR and the mechanism is still unclear.

In this study, MSC-sEVs mitigated retinal blood-retina barrier (BRB) impairment in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DR by reducing ferroptosis in vivo and in vitro.

Echo Biotech Role

Echo Biotech contributed EV isolation and purification, miRNA profiling/sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.

Related platforms: Exoomics®

Related services and capabilities: Cell-Culture Supernatant EV Isolation & Purification, EV miRNA Profiling / Sequencing

References

Original publication: MSC-derived Exosomal miR-125b-5p Suppressed Retinal Microvascular Endothelial Cell Ferroptosis in Diabetic Retinopathy Stem cells. 2025. DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxaf023. PMID/PMCID: 40247684.