Human menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) are a novel source of MSCs that provide the advantage of being easy to collect and isolate. Exosomes contain some mRNAs and adhesion molecules that can potentially impact cellular and animal physiology. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic potential of MenSC-derived exosomes (MenSC-Ex) on AML12 cells (in vitro) and D-GalN/LPS-induced FHF mice (in vivo). Transmission electron microscopy and Western blot were used to identify MenSC-Ex. Antibody array was used to examine cytokine levels on MenSC-Ex. MenSC-Ex were treated in D-GalN/LPS-induced AML12 in vitro. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were measured. MenSC-Ex were injected into the tail veins of mice 24 h before treatment with D-GalN/LPS. Blood and liver tissues served as physiological and biochemical indexes. The number of liver mononuclear cells (MNCs) and the amount of the active apoptotic protein caspase-3 were determined to elaborate the mechanism of hepatoprotective activity. Human menstrual blood-derived stem cell-derived exosomes (MenSC-Ex) are bi-lipid membrane vesicles that have a round, ball-like shape with a diameter of approximately 30–100 nm. Cytokine arrays have shown that MenSC-Ex expressed cytokines, including ICAM-1, angiopoietin-2, Axl, angiogenin, IGFBP-6, osteoprotegerin, IL-6, and IL-8. MenSC-Ex markedly improved liver function, enhanced survival rates, and inhibited liver cell apoptosis at 6 h after transplantation. MenSC-Ex migrated to sites of injury and to AML12 cells (a mouse hepatocyte cell line), respectively. Moreover, MenSC-Ex reduced the number of liver mononuclear cells (MNCs) and the amount of the active apoptotic protein caspase-3 in injured livers. In conclusion, our results provide preliminary evidence for the anti-apoptotic capacity of MenSC-Ex in FHF and suggest that MenSC-Ex may be an alternative therapeutic approach to treat FHF.

Acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Menstrual blood-derived stem cells (MenSCs) have been shown to be good therapeutic tools in diseases such as ovarian failure and cardiac fibrosis. However, relevant studies of MenSCs in ALI have not yet proceeded. We hypothesized that MenSC could attenuate the inflammation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and promote the repair of damaged lung. ALI model was induced by LPS in C57 mice, and saline or MenSCs were administered via tail vein after four hours. The MenSCs were subsequently detected in the lungs by a live imaging system. The MenSCs not only improved pulmonary microvascular permeability and attenuated histopathological damage, but also mediated the downregulation of IL-1β and the upregulation of IL-10 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and the damaged lung. Immunohistochemistry revealed the increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and the reduced expression of caspase-3 indicating the beneficial effect of MenSCs. Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was also upregulated after MenSCs administrated. As shown using transwell co-culture, the MenSCs also could improve the viability of BEAS-2B cells and inhibit LPS-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that MenSC-based therapies could be promising strategies for treating ALI.