Fig. 3: Small RNA sequencing reveals miR-140 as a pivotal therapeutic molecule enriched in chondrogenically-induced ASC-Exos.

A Fluorescence microscopy images showing cellular uptake of DiO-labeled ASC-Exos (green) by rat chondrocytes. Nuclei were counterstained with DAPI (blue). Scale bars: 100 μm. B Cell viability assay demonstrating the dose-dependent protective effect of ASC-Exos (25–200 μg/mL) against IL-1β-induced cytotoxicity in rat chondrocytes. Data are presented as mean ± SD. C Small RNA sequencing-based KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs between Chr-ASC-Exos and ASC-Exos. Bubble size indicates gene count, and color intensity represents significance. D Small RNA sequencing-based GO enrichment analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs categorized by biological process, cellular component, and molecular function. Color intensity indicates significance. E Volcano plot analysis of small RNA sequencing data showing differentially expressed miRNAs between Chr-ASC-Exos and ASC-Exos. Red dots represent upregulated miRNAs, and blue dots represent downregulated miRNAs. F Deep sequencing analysis revealing the top 10 upregulated miRNAs in Chr-ASC-Exos compared to ASC-Exos, with miR-140 displaying the highest expression level. G Cell viability assay comparing the protective effects of miR-140-Exos, ASC-Exos, and anti-miR-140-Exos (150 μg/mL) against IL-1β-induced cytotoxicity. Data are presented as mean ± SD. H Wound healing assay showing the effects of different exosomes treatments on chondrocyte migration at 0 h and 48 h. Red lines indicate wound edges. Scale bars: 500 μm.