Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes: a promising vector in treatment for diabetes and its microvascular complications

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exos) are phospholipid bimolecular vesicles containing various materials, and they mediate crosstalk among cells. MSC-exos can maintain glucose homeostasis and delay the progression of diabetes and its microvascular complications through multiple mechanisms, such as by improving beta-cell viability and insulin resistance as well as through multiple signal transduction pathways. However, related knowledge has not yet been systematically summarized. Therefore, we reviewed the applications and relevant mechanisms of MSC-exos in treatments for diabetes and its microvascular complications, particularly treatments for improving islet beta-cells viability, insulin resistance, diabetic nephropathy, and retinopathy.