Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes ameliorate nucleus pulposus cells apoptosis via delivering miR-142-3p: therapeutic potential for intervertebral disc degenerative diseases

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the main cause of lower back pain (LBP), and puzzles massive individuals worldwide. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has been demonstrated to potentially ameliorate IDD progression, while the underlying mechanism has not been fully explained. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was used to induce nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) injury. Bone marrow MSCs-derived exosomes were isolated using the super centrifugation method, and characterized using Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and western blot. Cell viability was determined by MTT, while apoptosis was measured by Annexin-V staining using flow cytometry. miR-142-3fp and gene expressions were measured by real-time PCR. The protein expressions were determined by western blot. Herein, we found exosomes from bone marrow MSCs are circular vesicles, about 80 nm in diameter, and with robust expression of TSG101 and CD63, but without of Calnexin. MSCs exosomes alleviated NPCs apoptosis by reducing IL-1β-induced inflammatory cytokines secretion and MAPK signaling activation. Additionally, MSCs exosomes inhibited NPCs apoptosis and MAPK signaling by delivering miR-142-3p that targets mixed lineage kinase 3 (MLK3). Overexpression of MLK3 abolished the effects of MSCs exosomes on the inflammatory condition, cell apoptosis, and MAPK signaling activation in NPCs. The results confirmed that bone marrow MSCs-derived exosomes-packaged miR-142-3p alleviates NPCs injury through suppressing MAPK signaling by targeting MLK3. The work highlights the therapeutic effect of MSCs on IDD progression, and bone marrow MSCs exosomes might be apromising therapeutic strategy for IDD.