Xiang SY, Qiu RS, Chen KC, Zhou JH. Letter to the Editor: Regulation of histone lactylation on exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promoting cartilage regeneration. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(6): 114469 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.114469]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Jian-Hui Zhou, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Xiaolan Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, No. 65 Jucheng Avenue, Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan 528415, Guangdong Province, China. zjhlxw@163.com
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Cell Biology
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letter
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Xiang SY, Qiu RS, Chen KC, Zhou JH. Letter to the Editor: Regulation of histone lactylation on exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells promoting cartilage regeneration. World J Stem Cells 2026; 18(6): 114469 [DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.114469]
Shou-Yu Xiang, Ri-Sheng Qiu, Kang-Cha Chen, Jian-Hui Zhou, Department of Orthopedics, Xiaolan Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Zhongshan 528415, Guangdong Province, China
Shou-Yu Xiang, Ri-Sheng Qiu, Kang-Cha Chen, Jian-Hui Zhou, Department of Orthopedics, Xiaolan People’s Hospital of Zhongshan (The Fifth People’s Hospital of Zhongshan), Zhongshan 528415, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Xiang SY, Qiu RS, and Chen KC designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript, contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript, and contributed to the writing and editing of the manuscript, illustrations, and review of the literature; Zhou JH served as corresponding authors and contributed equally to the supervision, critical revision, and final approval of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Corresponding author: Jian-Hui Zhou, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, Xiaolan Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, No. 65 Jucheng Avenue, Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan 528415, Guangdong Province, China. zjhlxw@163.com
Received: September 22, 2025 Revised: November 20, 2025 Accepted: January 26, 2026 Published online: June 26, 2026 Processing time: 277 Days and 4.6 Hours
Abstract
Histone lactylation, a novel chemical modification of histones, serves as a precise regulator of gene expression and cellular fate. It shows considerable potential in the regulation of bone metabolism. We read with interest the study by Zhang et al published in the World Journal of Stem Cells. In recent years, histone lactylation has attracted increasing attention in this field. Therefore, further investigation into the role and mechanisms of histone lactylation in cartilage regeneration provides new opportunities for regenerative medicine. This article aims to explore the regulation of tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) by lactate dehydrogenase A in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (BMSC-Exos). Specifically, this study highlights that lactate dehydrogenase A in BMSC-Exos promotes bone morphogenetic protein 7 expression via H3K18 lactylation, thereby facilitating tendon-bone healing after ACLR. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the clinical application of BMSC-Exos and identify a new therapeutic target for recovery after ACLR.
Core Tip: The tendon-bone healing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) has troubled clinicians for a long time. Zhang et al found bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes not only significantly promoted the generation of new bone tissue but also increased the regeneration of tendon and fibrocartilage in ACLR rats model, with lactate dehydrogenase A playing an important role in this process. The research elucidate a previously unknown molecular pathway involved in histone lactoylation, providing a more effective guarantee for the success rate and prognosis of ACLR.
