New therapeutic approach with extracellular vesicles from stem cells for interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome

• Published in: BMB reports Vol. 55; no. 5; pp. 205 - 212
• Main Authors: Dayem, Ahmed Abdal, Song, Kwonwoo, Lee, Soobin, Kim, Aram, Cho, Ssang-Goo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 생화학분자생물학회 31.05.2022
• Subjects: Bladder; Exosome; Extracellular vesicles; IC/BPS; Stem cell; Bladder; Extracellular vesicles; IC/BPS; Exosome; Stem cell
• ISSN: 1976-6696; 1976-670X

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) is a debilitating chronic disorder characterized by suprapubic pain and urinary symptoms such as urgency, nocturia, and frequency. The prevalence of IC/BPS is increasing as diagnostic criteria become more comprehensive. Conventional pharmacotherapy against IC/BPS has shown suboptimal effects, and consequently, patients with end-stage IC/BPS are subjected to surgery. The novel treatment strategies should have two main functions, anti-inflammatory action and the regeneration of glycosaminoglycan and urothelium layers. Stem cell therapy has been shown to have dual functions. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic option for IC/BPS, but they come with several shortcomings, such as immune activation and tumorigenicity. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) hold numerous therapeutic cargos and are thus a viable cell-free therapeutic option. In this review, we provide a brief overview of IC/BPS pathophysiology and limitations of the MSC-based therapies. Then we provide a detailed explanation and discussion of therapeutic applications of EVs in IC/BPS as well as the possible mechanisms. We believe our review will give an insight into the strengths and drawbacks of EV-mediated IC/BPS therapy and will provide a basis for further development. [BMB Reports 2022; 55(5): 205-212]