Multiple recipient cell types via secretome

The term Multiple recipient cell types via secretome refers to a complex physiological process of intercellular communication rather than a single molecular target or receptor. It describes the mechanism by which a donor cell, such as a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC), releases a diverse array of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids—collectively known as the secretome—into the extracellular environment to influence the behavior of various neighboring or distant recipient cells (NIH, 2019). This paracrine or endocrine signaling is fundamental to tissue regeneration, immune response modulation, and wound healing (MDPI, 2019). In modern drug development, the secretome is being explored as a cell-free therapeutic strategy, aiming to deliver the regenerative benefits of stem cells without the risks associated with live cell transplantation, such as unwanted differentiation or tumorigenicity (Frontiers, 2019). Because the secretome consists of a heterogeneous mixture of factors acting on diverse cell populations, it lacks the specificity of a traditional drug-receptor interaction and is considered a therapeutic mechanism or delivery platform rather than a discrete target (NIH, 2025).

Other names

Secretome-mediated signalingParacrine signalingCell-free therapyMesenchymal stem cell-derived secretomeConditioned media (CM) signalingExtracellular vesicle (EV) signaling

The secretome acts through the release of a complex mixture of bioactive molecules, including cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs encapsulated in extracellular vesicles, which bind to specific receptors on multiple recipient cell types to modulate intracellular signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt and ERK1/2.