Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42458649›Full record

ReviewStem cell research & therapy2026

Improving stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles for better tendon and tendon-to-bone junction regeneration: strategies and future directions.

Haining Liu, Pauline Po Yee Lui

Abstract readReview
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In one paragraph

Review in Stem cell research & therapy, 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

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.

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

2 authors.

Haining LiuDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 74037, 5/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China.
Pauline Po Yee LuiDepartment of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Room 74037, 5/F Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR, China. paulinelui00@gmail.com.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2446-6203

Funding

CUHK Direct Grant for Research 2025.041InnoHK initiative of the Innovation and Technology Commission of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government ITC RC/IHK/4/7
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Chronic tendinopathy is a debilitating tendon overuse disorder characterized by localized tenderness, swelling, and pain, significantly impairing physical function. It is particularly common among the overuse and aging populations. Traditional treatment options, including conservative therapies and surgical interventions, often yield limited success. Recent studies indicate that extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from stem cells provide a promising therapeutic avenue for healing of tendon and tendon-to-bone junction (TBJ) injuries associated with chronic tendinopathy. Their unique properties, such as higher cargo stability and the ability to serve as carriers for targeted drug delivery, position them as ideal candidates for tendinopathy treatment. However, the low yield of EVs presents challenges for clinical applications. This review systematically review various strategies to enhance EV yield and function, including preconditioning stem cells through biophysical, biological, or chemical means; genetic engineering of stem cells; in vitro loading of proteins or drugs and surface modification of EVs; and modifying the stem cell culture environment, particularly through three-dimensional (3D) culture techniques. Emphasis is placed on scaffold-free methods, scaffold-based methods, 3D printing, spinner flasks, and bioreactors, which can potentially improve EV yield and functions for tendon and TBJ regeneration. The review also summarizes relevant preclinical data and explores the molecular mechanisms underlying enhanced EV yield and functions, as well as the mechanisms of EVs on tendon and TBJ repair. Future research directions include investigating various EV enhancement strategies in models of degenerative tendon injury, studying the underlying molecular mechanisms, establishing cost-effective methods for scalable EV production, optimizing EV treatment protocols for clinical translation, and exploring combination strategies to enhance therapeutic EV production and function.

Indexed as

Extracellular VesiclesRegenerationStem CellsTendinopathyTendonsAnimalsHumansExosomesExtracellular vesiclesGenetic modificationPreconditioningTendinopathyTendon healingThree-dimensional culture

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

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.