BMSC-Exos affect inflammation and oxidative stress in DR rats by modulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway
10.3980/j.issn.1672-5123.2026.8.02
- VernacularTitle:骨髓间充质干细胞来源外泌体通过调控TLR4/NF-κB信号通路影响DR大鼠炎症和氧化应激反应
- Author:
Qin WANG
1
;
Feng ZENG
1
;
Wei LIU
1
;
Hao HUANG
1
;
Haizhi WANG
1
Author Information
1. Affiliated Qingyuan Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University;Qingyuan People's Hospital, Qingyuan 511518, Guangdong Province, China; Zhuzhou Central Hospital;Zhuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Zhuzhou 412007, Hunan Province, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells;
exosomes;
TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway;
oxidative stress
- From:
International Eye Science
2026;26(8):1307-1315
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(BMSC-Exos)on diabetic retinopathy(DR)in rats, with a focus on their ability to modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.METHODS:Streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 [normal+phosphate-buffered saline(PBS)], Group 2(normal+Exos), Group 3(DR+PBS), and Group 4(DR+Exos). At the 8th week after modeling, BMSC-Exos or PBS were injected intravitreally. Retinal tissues were collected at the 16th week for histological analysis [hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining], apoptosis detection(TUNEL). Oxidative stress markers [8-OHdG, superoxide dismutase(SOD), and glutathione(GSH)] were assessed, and inflammatory cytokines [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for interleukin(IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)], and molecular profiling [quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)for TLR4, NF-κB, and VEGF] were measured.RESULTS:The BMSC-Exos treatment significantly suppressed the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway in DR rats(P<0.01), which was accompanied by reduced retinal vascular leakage(Evans blue assay, P<0.001), decreased apoptosis(TUNEL, P<0.05), and attenuated oxidative stress(elevated SOD and GSH, reduced 8-OHdG, P<0.05). The levels of inflammatory cytokines(IL-6 and TNF-α)were markedly decreased(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:BMSC-Exos alleviate DR by suppressing the TLR4/NF-κB axis, thus reducing oxidative damage, inflammation, and microvascular dysfunction. This research offers a novel therapeutic approach for early-stage DR.
