Progress in Preclinical Research on Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes for the Treatment of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia

Abstract

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is the most common chronic respiratory disease in premature infants and affects their survival rate and quality of life. There are no reliable interventions for the prevention or treatment of BPD, but the emergence of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapies has brought new hope. Research has shown that paracrine may be the therapeutic mechanism of action underlying physiological improvements in the lungs of BPD patients treated with MSC therapy. The therapeutic vector in the MSC secretome comprises exosomes with low immunogenicity and stability, and that can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. In the future, exosomes may become the preferred treatment for BPD in clinical settings. Here, we review the progress of preclinical research on the use of MSC-derived exosomes as a promising treatment option for BPD.

Key Points

• There is a lack of effective treatment for BPD.

• MSCs' therapeutic effect is exerted through paracrine.

• MSC-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) possess similar biological functions to MSCs.

• MSC-Exos can repair lung injury in BPD animal models.

Keywords

mesenchymal stem cell - exosomes - therapy - bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Publication History

Received: 30 May 2025

Accepted: 17 September 2025

Accepted Manuscript online:
19 September 2025

Article published online:
30 September 2025

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