SynthesisFrontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology2026
Therapeutic effects of stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration: a systematic review and meta-analysis of species differences and delivery strategies.
Synthesis in Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed.
- Dual-Gene Edited Extracellular Vesicles Remodel the Redox Homeostasis to Inhibit Ferroptosis in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2026Article
- Reimagining Spinal Surgery at the Nanoscale: Smart Implants, Targeted Therapies, and Translational Challenges.Biology · 2026Review
- From Bench to Bedside: Translational Barriers in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.Bioengineering (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
- Rebuilding the degenerative disc microenvironment: mesenchymal stem cells, exosomes, and bioengineered scaffolds.Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Objectives: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major contributor to chronic low back pain and disability worldwide, yet current treatments remain largely palliative and do not restore disc structure or biomechanical integrity. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (SC-sEVs) have emerged as promising cell-free biologics capable of modulating inflammation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix homeostasis. Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of SC-sEVs in rat models of puncture-induced IVDD, with a specific focus on comparing hydrogel-assisted versus direct (non-hydrogel) delivery strategies. The review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420250654980) and conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Results: Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library through August 2025 identified 19 studies enrolling 305 rats. Extracted outcomes included disc height index (DHI), MRI Pfirrmann grade, and histological score. Meta-analysis demonstrated significant improvements in DHI (mean difference [MD] = 12.8%, 95% CI 7.6-18.0), histological grade (MD = -4.1, 95% CI -5.1 to -3.2), and MRI Pfirrmann grade (MD = -1.5, 95% CI -1.8 to -1.2) at 4-8 weeks following treatment. Hydrogel-assisted delivery produced comparable overall efficacy to direct injection but contributed to reduced interstudy heterogeneity. Both human- and rat-derived EVs significantly improved all evaluated outcomes, with human-source EVs showing a modest advantage in MRI grading (P = 0.017). Risk-of-bias assessment indicated generally acceptable methodological quality, and no substantial publication bias was observed. Conclusion: Overall, SC-sEV therapy demonstrates consistent regenerative benefits in preclinical IVDD models, supporting its translational promise as a minimally immunogenic, cell-free therapeutic for degenerative spine disorders. Future studies employing standardized protocols, mechanistic analyses, and long-term evaluation are needed to facilitate clinical translation. Systematic Review Registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420250654980, identifier CRD420250654980.
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.