Fig. 1

Diagram of possible modes of actions involved in MSC death modulation function. MSC death modulation function might have a mode of action involving paracrine factors (such as IL-6, IL-10, and BDNF) and/or extracellular vesicles (such as for transporting miRNAs, mitochondria, and proteins) were cell-to-cell contact is not required. By contrast, MSC death modulation function might have a mode of action involving connexins (such as Cx-43 and Cx-45) and/or tunneling nanotubes (such as for transporting mitochondria) were cell-to-cell contact is absolutely required. IL, interleukin; BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cx, connexin; miRNAs, microRNAs