Phytocannabinoid-induced priming and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells: Therapeutic potential

Figure 1 Schematic representation of the paracrine effects of mesenchymal stem cells. Mesenchymal stem cells exert therapeutic effects primarily through the paracrine release of soluble factors and extracellular vesicles. They modulate immune responses by secreting interleukin-10 (IL-10), IL-6, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, prostaglandin E₂, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), transforming growth factor-β, and nitric oxide; promote angiogenesis via vascular endothelial growth factor, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, angiopoietin-1, and angiogenin; and prevent apoptosis through HGF, IGF-1, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor-β. In addition, neuroprotective molecules such as IGF-1, HGF, nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, fibroblast growth factor-2, and ciliary neurotrophic factor support neuronal survival and regeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells also release bioactive lipids, including 2-arachidonoylglycerol and anandamide, which contribute to their therapeutic potential[18]. Created in BioRender. Amorim, R. (2026) https://BioRender.com/0lqgoi6. IL: Interleukin; IDO: Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase; PGE₂: Prostaglandin E₂; HGF: Hepatocyte growth factor; TGF-β: Transforming growth factor-β; NO: Nitric oxide; 2AG: 2-arachidonoylglycerol; AEA: Anandamide; VEGF: Vascular endothelial growth factor; IGF-1: Insulin-like growth factor-1; MCP-1: Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; MSCs: Mesenchymal stem cells; BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GDNF: Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor; FGF-2: Fibroblast growth factor-2; CNTF: Ciliary neurotrophic factor.