Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-originated exosomes suppress activation of hepatic stellate cells through the miR-144-3p/SLC7A11 axis
- Department of Infectious Diseases, First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
- The First Clinical Medical School, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, P.R. China
Aim of the study:
This study aimed to investigate the impact of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell exosomes (BMSC-Exos) on hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and explore the underlying molecular mechanisms in liver fibrosis.
Material and methods:
BMSC-Exos were co-incubated with LPS-activated LX-2 cells. Fibrosis markers, iron content, malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and ferroptosis-related proteins were assessed. The role of miR-144-3p originating from BMSC-Exos in LX-2 cell activation was studied through dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA pull-down experiments.
Results:
Treatment with BMSC-Exos up-regulated miR-144-3p in LX-2 cells, down-regulated SLC7A11, increased iron content and ROS levels, and reduced fibrosis markers and GSH. BMSC-Exos mediated ferroptosis and inhibited HSC activation by transmitting miR-144-3p targeting SLC7A11.
Conclusions:
BMSC-Exos regulate SLC7A11 expression through miR-144-3p transfer, promoting ferroptosis and suppressing HSC activation in liver fibrosis.
Keywords
bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, exosomes, miR-144-3p, SLC7A11, ferroptosis, hepatic stellate cell activation
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