Systematic review of extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs involved in organ fibrosis: implications for arthrofibrosis therapy

Venkateswaran Ganesh; Rui He; James A Martin; Aliasger K Salem; Edward A Sander; Kyungsup Shin; Dongrim Seol

doi:10.1186/s12967-025-06810-x

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Systematic review of extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs involved in organ fibrosis: implications for arthrofibrosis therapy

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Systematic review of extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs involved in organ fibrosis: implications for arthrofibrosis therapy

Venkateswaran Ganesh, Rui He, James A Martin, Aliasger K Salem, Edward A Sander, Kyungsup Shin and Dongrim Seol

Journal of translational medicine, Vol.23(1), 802

07/17/2025

DOI: 10.1186/s12967-025-06810-x

PMCID: PMC12273330

PMID: 40676634

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Abstract

Arthrofibrosis is defined as the excessive accumulation of connective tissue in and around joints, which interferes with the range of motion required for activities of daily living. Although joint stiffness can be restored by surgical interventions such as adhesion lysis, arthroscopic debridement, and capsular release, arthrofibrosis tends to redevelop in the months following the surgery. Thus, there is a critical and urgent need to develop a non-invasive, pharmacological therapy to prevent or resolve arthrofibrosis. A subclass of small extracellular vesicles called exosomes convey bioactive regulators like micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs/miRs), which can function as anti- and pro-fibrotic agents. Currently, there is no research on miRNA-based therapeutic potentials for treating arthrofibrosis. Previous research and clinical observations on fibrosis across organ systems suggest that there are commonalities in pathogenic mechanisms that can be targeted in arthrofibrosis therapy. In this study, we collated and critically analyzed the existing literature on exosomal miRNAs in organ fibrosis to discover potential candidates for diagnosing, preventing, and/or treating arthrofibrosis. Fifty-six articles were finally selected and categorized by anti- and pro-fibrotic candidates of miRNAs. Notably, let-7, miR-26, miR-29, miR-146, miR-148/-152, miR-214, miR-223, and miR-21 emerged as prominent candidates that should be investigated further for effectiveness in arthrofibrosis therapy.

Animals

Exosomes - metabolism

Extracellular Vesicles - metabolism

Fibrosis

Humans

Joint Diseases - genetics

Joint Diseases - pathology

Joint Diseases - therapy

MicroRNAs - genetics

MicroRNAs - metabolism

Details

Title: Subtitle: Systematic review of extracellular vesicle-derived microRNAs involved in organ fibrosis: implications for arthrofibrosis therapy
Creators: Venkateswaran Ganesh - University of Iowa
Rui He - University of Iowa
James A Martin - University of Iowa
Aliasger K Salem - University of Iowa
Edward A Sander - University of Iowa
Kyungsup Shin - University of Iowa
Dongrim Seol - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of translational medicine, Vol.23(1), 802
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-025-06810-x
PMID: 40676634
PMCID: PMC12273330
NLM abbreviation: J Transl Med
ISSN: 1479-5876
eISSN: 1479-5876
Publisher: BMC; LONDON
Grant note: 1R21AR080352-01 / NIAMS NIH HHS
Language: English
Date published: 07/17/2025
Academic Unit: Roy J. Carver Department of Biomedical Engineering; Orthodontics; Research Administration; Pharmaceutical Sciences and Experimental Therapeutics; Orthopedics and Rehabilitation; Craniofacial Anomalies Research Center; Dental Research; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Record Identifier: 9984848120002771

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