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Abstract
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and regulatory T cells (Tregs) are both potent immune-modulators.
The aberrant proliferation and function of Tregs plays an important role in the development
of asthma. Our previous studies have demonstrated the role of MSCs in promoting proliferation
and immune-modulating of Tregs, as well as alleviating airway inflammation of asthmatic
mice. In the present study, we isolated exosomes secreted by MSCs and investigated
their immunomodulation effect on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of asthmatic
patient. We found that MSC exosomes upregulated IL-10 and TGF-β1 from PBMCs, thus
promoting proliferation and immune-suppression capacity of Tregs. Furthermore, antigen
presenting cells (APCs) but not CD4+ T cells-dependent pathway was shown to be possible
mechanism involved in MSC exosome-mediated regulation. Our data elucidated the key
role of exosomes in immune-modulation of MSCs, and suggested the therapeutic potential
of MSC exosomes for asthma.