Research Progress in the Application of Exosomes for the Treatment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

The pathological characteristics of patients with intervertebral disc degeneration are mainly manifested as the rapid degradation of the extracellular matrix, a reduction in nucleus pulposus cells, rupture of the annulus fibrosus, and inflammatory changes in the cartilage endplate. These changes lead to radicular pain in the lower limbs, as well as neck and back pain in patients. At present, the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration has not been clearly concluded in clinical practice. Treatment mainly focuses on alleviating clinical symptoms, preventing disease progression, and reversing the degenerative process. Therefore, it is necessary to further explore treatment methods for intervertebral disc degeneration. Exosomes have been a hot topic in the field of regenerative medicine in recent years. These active biological substances have a good control effect on inflammatory responses and can also improve the immune system. They can promote the rapid proliferation and regeneration of nucleus pulposus cells, and have a good therapeutic effect on intervertebral disc degeneration.