Stem cell-derived nano-scale vesicles promotes the proliferation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) by activation PI3K/Akt and ERK pathway

Objective(s): To evaluate the effects of the mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome on the proliferation of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs)-5 cell line. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the human bone marrow (BM)-derived MSCs. Exosomes characteristic were verified by western blotting and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. The proliferation of the RGC-5 cell line was estimated in co-culture conditions with MSCs-exosome by MTT assay within 24-96 hours of exposure. The expression levels of the AKT, PI3K, and ERK pathways were measured in RGC-5 cells within 24-96 hours of exposure. Results: Based on the MTT assay results, exosomes at concentrations of 50-200 ng/ml enhanced the proliferation of the RGC-5 cell line in vitro. Also, this co-culture resulted in the up-regulating of the expression of AKT, PI3K, and ERK pathways in the RGC-5 cell line. Conclusions: Accordingly, we concluded that the exosome could stimulate the proliferation of the RGC-5 cell line by inducing PI3K/AKT and ERK axes.