Application of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord stem cells in the treatment of ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma in mice

Abstract Background This study investigated the therapeutic potential of exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs-exos) in an Ovalbumin (OVA) -induced mouse model of allergic asthma, comparing their efficacy to budesonide, a standard asthma treatment. hUCMSCs-exos were characterized by their typical morphology, size, and marker expression (CD9, CD63, and HSP70) using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Nanosight 300, and Western blot analysis. Results Treatment with hUCMSCs-exos significantly decreased lung inflammation by detecting plasma IL-4 and IgE levels, as well as white blood cells and eosinophils counts in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), the M1 and M2 type of macrophages, Regulatory T Cells (Tregs) in lung tissues, paralleling the effects of budesonide therapy. Notably, hUCMSCs -exos achieved a greater reduction in the percentage of eosinophils in BALF and a significant increase M2 macrophages and Tregs in lung tissues. Conclusions These findings suggest hUCMSCs-exos may offer comparable or superior therapeutic benefits to budesonide, warranting further investigation into their molecular mechanisms to support clinical application.