Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41808118›Full record

ArticleJournal of translational medicine2026

3D-bioprinted mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes reprogram macrophages via PI3K/AKT to accelerate nerve regeneration.

Tao Sun, Lixin Huang, Qin Sun, Yibo Zhao, Zhimin Wu, Xi Luo, Jun Sun, Mingyang Li, Qingyi Huo, Tao Xu and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Tao Sun *Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Lixin Huang *Department of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Qin Sun *Cancer Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
Yibo ZhaoDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Zhimin WuDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Xi LuoDepartment of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Jun SunDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Mingyang LiDepartment of Hepatic Surgery, Liver Transplantation Center, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Qingyi HuoDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China.
Tao XuBio-Intelligent Manufacturing and Living Matter Bioprinting Center, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518057, China. xut@tsinghua-sz.org.
Hui WangDepartment of Neurosurgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, 600 TianHe Road, Tian He District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510630, China. wangh22@mail.sysu.edu.cn.ORCID 0009-0003-6652-1415

Funding

"Five and five" Project of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University 2023WW504Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2022A1515012433 & 2024A1515012906Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Program key projects 202201020578Sun Yat-Sen University Clinical Research 5010 Program 2021001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPeripheral nerve injury (PNI) regeneration involves complex immunoregulatory mechanisms, particularly M2 macrophage‑mediated immunomodulation. Promoting macrophage polarization toward the M2 phenotype represents a potential therapeutic strategy. Exosomes can create favorable microenvironments for tissue regeneration, but their clinical application is often limited by low concentration and purity. Three‑dimensional‑bioprinted exosomes (3D‑Exos) have recently gained attention due to their enhanced concentration and purity.

methodsIn this study, 3D‑Exos were applied to treat PNI. The regenerative effects of 3D‑Exos were compared with conventionally produced exosomes (2D‑Exos) in vivo. In vitro experiments, RNA sequencing, and miRNA microarray analyses were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The mechanism was further validated in vitro and in vivo.

results3D‑Exos significantly enhanced nerve regeneration after PNI and outperformed 2D‑Exos. In vitro studies revealed that 3D‑Exos promoted macrophages polarization toward the M2 macrophages. RNA sequencing indicated that the PI3K/AKT pathway was activated by 3D‑Exos, and miRNA microarray analysis identified miR‑26b‑5p within 3D‑Exos as the key mediator targeting PTEN to activate PI3K/AKT signaling. Subsequently, M2 macrophages facilitated Schwann cell migration, elongation, and myelination, thereby accelerating nerve regeneration. Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway abolished the therapeutic effects of 3D-Exos on nerve regeneration after PNI.

conclusionsThis study elucidates a novel mechanism by which 3D‑Exos promote nerve regeneration through reprogramming macrophages polarization via the PI3K/AKT pathway. The work establishes a paradigm‑shifting therapeutic framework that integrates 3D-Exos with immunomodulatory strategies for the treatment of PNI.

Indexed as

Cellular ReprogrammingExosomesMacrophagesMesenchymal Stem CellsNerve RegenerationPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesPrinting, Three-DimensionalProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktAnimalsCell MovementCell PolarityMaleMicroRNAsPeripheral Nerve InjuriesRats, Sprague-DawleySchwann CellsMicroRNAsPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesProto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt3D-bioprinted mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomesMacrophages reprogrammingNerve regenerationPeripheral nerve injuryPI3K/AKT signaling pathway

Identifiers

PMID41808118
PMCPMC13097665

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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.