Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-secreted extracellular vesicles alleviate non-alcoholic fatty liver disease via delivering miR-223-3p

Increasing studies have identified the potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) treatment. Hence, we further focused on the potential of adipose-derived MSC (ADSC)-EVs in NAFLD by delivering miR-223-3p. The uptake of isolated ADSC-EVs by hepatocytes was assessed, and the expression of miR-223-3p in ADSC-EVs and hepatocytes was characterized. It was established that miR-223-3p, enriched in ADSC-EVs, could be delivered by ADSC-EVs into hepatocytes. Using co-culture system and gain-of-function approach, we evaluated the effect of ADSC-EVs carrying miR-223-3p on lipid accumulation and liver fibrosis in pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA)-induced hepatocytes and a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mouse model. Bioinformatics websites and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay were performed to determine the interactions between miR-223-3p and E2F1, which was further validated by rescue experiments. ADSC-EVs containing miR-223-3p displayed suppressive effects on lipid accumulation and liver fibrosis through E2F1 inhibition, since E2F1 was demonstrated as a target gene of miR-223-3p. The protective role of ADSC-EVs by delivering miR-223-3p was then confirmed in the mouse model. Collectively, this study elucidated that ADSC-EVs delayed the progression NAFLD through the delivery of anti-fibrotic miR-223-3p and subsequent E2F1 suppression, which may suggest miR-223-3p-loaded ADSC-EVs to be a potential therapeutic approach for NAFLD.