The Role of Exosomes in Metabolic Syndrome and Cell Therapy

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a pathological condition in which diseases such as diabetes, dyslipidemia, and hypertension progress via a domino effect. Obesity induces adipose tissue hypertrophy and a chronic inflammatory state, leading to insulin resistance, glucose metabolism disorders, and MetS. Recent studies have revealed that not only adipokines secreted from white adipose tissue (WAT) and inflammatory cytokines secreted from immune cells, but also exosomes secreted from these cells transmit signals to various organs. The organs that receive the signals secrete hormones and exosomes in response to the next signal, thereby progressing the pathology. We focus here on the relationship between exosomes and MetS and explain their effects. Moreover, we discuss the trends in cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells, beige fat cells, and brown fat cells, which are expected to be used as treatments for MetS.