Therapeutic applications of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in pain management: A narrative review of emerging evidence and future directions

Abstract

Pain remains a major clinical challenge because current therapies often have limited efficacy and substantial adverse effects. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) are emerging as promising candidates with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective actions. Preclinical studies show that MSC-EVs alleviate inflammatory, neuropathic, and cancer-related pain by modulating immune responses and promoting neural repair, thereby reducing nociceptor sensitization. MSC-EVs also hold potential as drug-delivery vehicles and as biomarkers for pain diagnosis due to their stability and bioactive cargo (e.g., microRNAs and proteins). This narrative review summarizes terminology, mechanisms, therapeutic applications, and translational challenges of MSC-EVs in pain management, emphasizing their capacity to reshape the treatment landscape. Despite hurdles in scalable manufacturing, dosing, and regulation, ongoing clinical investigations support their promise as a biologically driven strategy for pain therapy.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Drug delivery; Immunomodulation; Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles; Nociceptor sensitization; Pain management.

Figure 1

Schematic representation of extracellular vesicle-mediated modulation of nuclear factor kappa B-light chain enhancer of activated B cells signaling pathway. Under inflammatory stimulation, receptor activation triggers the inhibitor of kappa B (IκB) kinase complex, leading to IκB phosphorylation and degradation, allowing nuclear factor kappa B to translocate into the nucleus and induce the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs inhibit IκB kinase activity, thus stabilizing IκB and suppressing nuclear factor kappa B activation and downstream cytokine release. This mechanism helps reduce microglial activation and mitigate neuroinflammation. NF-кB: Nuclear factor kappa B; IκB: Inhibitor of kappa B; IKK: Inhibitor of kappa B kinase; EVs: Extracellular vesicles; TNF: Tumor necrosis factor; IL: Interleukin.

Figure 2

Extracellular vesicle-mediated regulation of Janus kinases/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling pathway in glial immunomodulation. Cytokine-receptor binding activates Janus kinases, leading to signal transducer and activator of transcription phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, which drives transcription of proinflammatory genes. Extracellular vesicle-derived cargo - including suppressor proteins and specific microRNAs - can inhibit Janus kinases/signal transducer and activator of transcription activation, modulating microglial and astrocytic phenotypes toward anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective states. EVs: Extracellular vesicles; miRNAs: MicroRNAs; JAK: Janus kinases; STAT: Signal transducer and activator of transcription.

Figure 3

Extracellular vesicle-mediated activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B signaling pathway promotes neuronal survival and neuroprotection. Ligand binding to surface receptors activates phosphoinositide 3-kinase, leading to protein kinase B phosphorylation, upregulation of antiapoptotic proteins, and downregulation of proapoptotic factors. Extracellular vesicle cargo enhances protein kinase B phosphorylation, supporting neuronal survival, synaptic maintenance, and resistance to neurodegenerative stress. EVs: Extracellular vesicles; PI3K: Phosphoinositide 3-kinase; AKT: Protein kinase B.

Figure 4

Extracellular vesicle-mediated modulation of mammalian target of rapamycin-autophagy pathway maintains cellular homeostasis. Inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin enhances autophagic activity, promoting cellular clearance and reducing inflammasome activation. Extracellular vesicle cargo, particularly microRNAs (miR-99 family), can downregulate mammalian target of rapamycin signaling in microglia, inducing autophagy and mitigating chronic microglial activation and neuroinflammatory responses. mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin; EVs: Extracellular vesicles.

Figure 5

Extracellular vesicle-mediated modulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and ion channel signaling in peripheral sensitization. Activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 and extracellular signal regulated kinase) increases transient receptor potential and voltage-gated sodium channel activity, leading to greater nociceptor excitability and pain sensitization. Extracellular vesicle-derived proteins and microRNAs can suppress p38/extracellular signal regulated kinase activation, normalizing transient receptor potential V1 and voltage-gated sodium channel function. This mechanism reduces peripheral sensitization and neuroinflammatory pain responses. EVs: Extracellular vesicles; miRNAs: MicroRNAs; MAPKs: Mitogen-activated protein kinases; ERK: Extracellular signal regulated kinase; TRP: Transient receptor potential; VGSC: Voltage-gated sodium channel; TRPV1: Transient receptor potential V1; NaV: Voltage-gated sodium.

Figure 6

Summary of how mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (from source to response) help in pain management. Mesenchymal stem cells from various tissue sources secrete various types of extracellular vesicles, which contain bioactive cargo such as microRNAs, proteins, and lipids. These mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles target major pain-associated cells that result in therapeutic outcomes encompassing anti-inflammatory effects, neuroprotection, immunomodulation, and neuroprotection, thereby demonstrating their multifaceted mechanisms in reducing pain. MSCs: Mesenchymal stem cells; EVs: Extracellular vesicles; miRNAs: MicroRNAs; MSC-EVs: Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles.