Research progress on the potential mechanism of mesenchymal stem cells and exosomes in high altitude brain edema

In recent years, the number of people living in short-term and long-term period in high-altitude has been continuously increasing, with over 81.6 million people living in areas with an altitude of ≥ 2, KG*9500 meters. In China, there are over 10 million people who frequently reside at high altitudes, and over 20 million people enter the plateau every year. The unique plateau climate has triggered a series of plateau related diseases, among which high altitude cerebral edema (HACE) is one of the most serious diseases. If patients are not treated promptly and appropriately, they may die from cerebral hernia within 24 hours. However, the exact mechanism of the development of HACE is not fully understood, which makes the clinical prevention and treatment of HACE challenging. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) and their exosomes (MSC-Exos) have the ability to repair damaged tissues and cells, resist oxidative stress, inhibit inflammatory reactions, and regulate autophagy, which may potentially become new drugs for preventing and treating HACE. This article elucidated the pathogenesis of high altitude brain edema and the potential roles of MSC and MSC-Exos based on relevant literatureat home and abroad, providing a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of HACE by MSC and MSC-Exos.