Treatment of mesenchymal stem cells derived exosomes leads to significant behavioral improvement of both genetic and idiopathic autism

• Published in: Cytotherapy (Oxford, England) Vol. 21; no. 5; p. e8
• Main Authors: Offen, D, Perets, N, Oron, O, Elliott, E, Hertz, S, London, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01.05.2019
• Subjects: Advanced Basic Science; Other
• ISSN: 1465-3249; 1477-2566
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcyt.2019.04.025

Background & AimMesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have shown to have regenerative and immunomodulatory abilities when they are transplanted into a tissue. we have previously demonstrated that stereotactical injection of MSC into the brains of BTBR mice - idiopathic autism mice model, leads to a significant amelioration of all the autistic-like symptoms of this mice. Here we present that the same effect can be achieved by using just the exosomes secreted by the MSC (MSC-exo) and via intranasal administration. Moreover, we have demonstrated this effect on both BTBR mice and shank3 KO mice that are a genetic model of autism.Methods, Results & ConclusionWe have used MSC-exo via intranasal administration to treat both BTBR and shank3 KO mice. The behavioral effect seemed 3 weeks post the treatment.The behavioral amelioration was seen in all the core symptoms including social interaction, repetitive behaviors, and vocal communication.