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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes Preserve Cartilage Homeostasis and Restore Joint Function in Experimental Osteoarthritis

  • Sung‐Yen Lin1,2,3,4,5
  • Yi‐Shan Lin1,2
  • Shu‐Chun Chuang1,2,6
  • Yi‐Wen Kuo1,2
  • Cheng‐Jung Ho1,2,3
  • Kai‐Hsuan Wang7
  • Wei‐Cheng Tsai7
  • Zhi‐Xiang Li7
  • Wan‐Jung Lin7
  • Yi‐Ju Hsieh7
  • Chung‐Hwan Chen1,2,3,8,9,10
  • Tzou‐Yien Lin11,12
12 affiliations
  1. 1Orthopaedic Research Center Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
  2. 2Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy Research Center Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
  3. 3Department of Orthopaedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
  4. 4Department of Orthopedics Kaohsiung Medical University Gangshan Hospital Kaohsiung Taiwan
  5. 5Department of Orthopedics, School of Post‐Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
  6. 6Department of Orthopaedic Surgery University of Virginia Charlottesville Virginia USA
  7. 7ExoOne Bio Co., Ltd. Taipei Taiwan
  8. 8School of Medicine, College of Medicine Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
  9. 9Ph.D. Program in Biomedical Engineering, College of Medicine Kaohsiung Medical University Kaohsiung Taiwan
  10. 10Department of Materials Engineering, College of Engineering National Pingtung University of Science and Technology Pingtung Taiwan
  11. 11Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Taoyuan Taiwan
  12. 12College of Public Health Taipei Medical University Taipei Taiwan
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Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic potential for osteoarthritis (OA), but their clinical application is limited by the need for extensive ex vivo expansion. Human umbilical cord MSC‐derived exosomes (hUCMSC‐Exos) have emerged as a promising cell‐free alternative because of their cartilage‐protective and immunomodulatory properties. hUCMSC‐Exos were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis and evaluated in an interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐stimulated human chondrocyte model and an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)‐induced rat OA model. In vitro, hUCMSC‐Exos suppressed inflammatory and catabolic responses while enhancing extracellular matrix synthesis, as evidenced by reduced IL‐1β, MMP13, and Type X collagen expression and increased TIMP1, aggrecan, and Type II collagen expression. In vivo, repeated intra‐articular administration of hUCMSC‐Exos attenuated cartilage degeneration, resulting in improved gross joint morphology, reduced histopathological damage, increased glycosaminoglycan deposition and Type II collagen expression, and decreased MMP13 expression. These structural improvements were accompanied by enhanced functional recovery, as demonstrated by improved hind limb weight‐bearing and treadmill running endurance. These findings suggest that hUCMSC‐Exos alleviate cartilage degeneration and improve joint function, supporting their potential as a promising cell‐free therapeutic approach for OA.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{lin2026human,
  title = {{Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes Preserve Cartilage Homeostasis and Restore Joint Function in Experimental Osteoarthritis}},
  author = {Sung‐Yen Lin and Yi‐Shan Lin and Shu‐Chun Chuang and Yi‐Wen Kuo and Cheng‐Jung Ho and Kai‐Hsuan Wang and Wei‐Cheng Tsai and Zhi‐Xiang Li and Wan‐Jung Lin and Yi‐Ju Hsieh and Chung‐Hwan Chen and Tzou‐Yien Lin},
  journal = {The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1002/kjm2.70312},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.70312},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell‐Derived Exosomes Preserve Cartilage Homeostasis and Restore Joint Function in Experimental Osteoarthritis
AU  - Sung‐Yen Lin
AU  - Yi‐Shan Lin
AU  - Shu‐Chun Chuang
AU  - Yi‐Wen Kuo
AU  - Cheng‐Jung Ho
AU  - Kai‐Hsuan Wang
AU  - Wei‐Cheng Tsai
AU  - Zhi‐Xiang Li
AU  - Wan‐Jung Lin
AU  - Yi‐Ju Hsieh
AU  - Chung‐Hwan Chen
AU  - Tzou‐Yien Lin
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/05
JO  - The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
DO  - 10.1002/kjm2.70312
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1002/kjm2.70312
AB  - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown therapeutic potential for osteoarthritis (OA), but their clinical application is limited by the need for extensive ex vivo expansion. Human umbilical cord MSC‐derived exosomes (hUCMSC‐Exos) have emerged as a promising cell‐free alternative because of their cartilage‐protective and immunomodulatory properties. hUCMSC‐Exos were characterized by nanoparticle tracking analysis and evaluated in an interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐stimulated human chondrocyte model and an anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)‐induced rat OA model. In vitro, hUCMSC‐Exos suppressed inflammatory and catabolic responses while enhancing extracellular matrix synthesis, as evidenced by reduced IL‐1β, MMP13, and Type X collagen expression and increased TIMP1, aggrecan, and Type II collagen expression. In vivo, repeated intra‐articular administration of hUCMSC‐Exos attenuated cartilage degeneration, resulting in improved gross joint morphology, reduced histopathological damage, increased glycosaminoglycan deposition and Type II collagen expression, and decreased MMP13 expression. These structural improvements were accompanied by enhanced functional recovery, as demonstrated by improved hind limb weight‐bearing and treadmill running endurance. These findings suggest that hUCMSC‐Exos alleviate cartilage degeneration and improve joint function, supporting their potential as a promising cell‐free therapeutic approach for OA.
SN  - 1607-551X
SN  - 2410-8650
ER  -