Fig. 4

Targeted exosomes derived from MSCs improved spatial learning and memory performances in APP/PS1 mice. (a) MSC-RVG-Exo and MSC-Exo injection ameliorated spatial learning in AD mice as shown by mean escape latency during the acquisition training phase through Morris water maze test. The number of platform location crosses (b) and time spent in the target quadrant (c) were evaluated by post-training probe trials. Compared with the mice injected by MSC-Exo, the mice in the group of MSC-RVG-Exo showed increased number of platform location crossings and time spent in the target quadrant. (d) The swimming speeds were similar among the groups, which suggested that the improved ability of learning and memory in mice treated by MSC-RVG-Exo resulted from cognitive processes but not non-cognitive behavioral components. AD indicated the APP/PS1 mice injected with PBS, MSC-Exo indicated the APP/PS1 mice injected with exosomes derived from MSCs, MSC-RVG-Exo indicated the APP/PS1 mice injected with RVG-conjugated MSC-Exo. *P < 0.05 and **P < 0.01 versus the AD group. #P < 0.05 and ##P < 0.01 versus the MSC-Exo group, by one-way ANOVA; n = 10