Exosomes derived from magnesium ion—stimulated macrophages inhibit angiogenesis

Angiogenesis, an essential prerequisite to osteogenesis in bone repair and regeneration, can be mediated by immunoregulation of macrophages. Magnesium and its alloys are promising biodegradable bone implant materials and can affect immunoregulation of macrophages by the degradation products (magnesium ions). Nevertheless, the mechanism of macrophage-derived exosomes stimulated by Mg ions in immunoregulation is still not well understood. Herein, 10–50 mM magnesium ions are shown to inhibit the macrophage viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, but a high concentration results in macrophage apoptosis. The exosomes secreted by macrophages from magnesium ion stimulation inhibit angiogenesis of endothelial cells, as manifested by the suppressed cell viability, proliferation, migration, and tube formation, which arise at least partially from exosome-mediated downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide and the vascular endothelial growth factor. The findings reported in this paper suggest that the bio-functionality of biodegradable magnesium alloys must be considered from the perspective of immunoregulation of macrophage-derived exosomes. Our results also suggest potential cancer therapy by inhibiting tumor-associated angiogenesis.