ISEV and ISCT statement on EVs from MSCs and other cells: considerations for potential therapeutic agents to suppress COVID-19

First described in December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome associated with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) quickly evolved into a pandemic with severe and increasing worldwide morbidity and mortality.

Among the cell-based therapy investigations for COVID-19, some registered clinical trials aim to utilize extracellular vesicles (EVs) prepared from MSC conditioned media rather than the cells themselves.

The mechanisms, by which EVs exert their beneficial effects, as well as their site(s) of action, remain incompletely understood. Nonetheless, effects observed in a range of pre-clinical non-COVID-19 model systems suggest that they may also have efficacy against COVID-19.

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