Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Promote Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration

Abstract

Wound healing is a complex process involving cell proliferation, migration, and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) or exosomes derived from adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) are emerging as promising alternatives to cell therapy for advanced wound healing. Hyaluronic acid (HA), a major component of the skin ECM, is widely utilized in wound dressings and dermal fillers. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ASC-derived exosomes (ASC-EXOs) on human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) and their potential combination with HA in in vivo wound healing and dermal filler models. In HDFs, ASC-EXOs increased cell proliferation and migration. ASC-EXOs also upregulated the expression of genes involved in cell proliferation and wound healing while stimulating collagen production in HDFs. In a porcine wound healing model, topical treatment with a combination of HA and ASC-EXOs led to higher wound closure rates compared to HA alone. Histological examination showed increased re-epithelialization and collagen type III deposition in wounds treated with the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs. In a mouse dermal filler model, tissues injected with the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs exhibited thicker tissue layers, increased vascularization, enhanced infiltration of myofibroblasts, and higher levels of collagen III and collagen fiber content compared to HA alone. These findings suggest that ASC-EXOs have beneficial effects on cell proliferation, migration, and gene expression related to wound healing, and they may accelerate wound closure and promote tissue regeneration. Furthermore, the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs may enhance wound healing and tissue remodeling, indicating its potential for both clinical and regenerative aesthetic applications in skin repair and regeneration.

Engineered exosomes and composite biomaterials for tissue regeneration

“…Furthermore, the combination of HA and ASC-EXOs improved wound healing and tissue remodeling, and ASC-EXO treatment increased proliferation, wound healing gene expression, and collagen production in HDFs, suggesting the possibility of ECM remodeling. Overall, the results of this study indicate that treatment with ASC-EXOs, alone or in combination with HA, can be used as a novel therapeutic approach for wound healing and tissue regeneration in various clinical settings 130 .…”

circ-Amotl1 in extracellular vesicles derived from ADSCs improves wound healing by upregulating SPARC translation

“…After 12 days, mice received euthanasia and the wound tissues were collected. The back of each mouse was injected with 200 μL solution (1.4 × 10 9 particles/mL) [ 17 ], and mice were accordingly classified into Control (no treatment), Evs (injected with Evs), Evs-shNC (injected with negative control), Evs-shcirc-Amotl1 (injected with shcirc-Amotl1 Evs), oe-NC (injected with control plasmid) and oe-SPARC (injected with oe-SPARC plasmid) groups, with ten mice in each group. Overexpression vector and shRNA vector were purchased from GenePharma (Shanghai, China).…”

Hydrogel-exosome system in tissue engineering: A promising therapeutic strategy

“…ADSC-Exos can boost the proliferation capacity of fibroblasts in vitro and within the wound area, increasing the expression of ki67 [ 228 ]. Additionally, they may increase the mRNA levels of genes encoding α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) [ 240 ]. Promotion of angiogenesis: Following skin injury, the damaged area will release various cytokines or growth factors which can activate endothelial cells in surrounding capillaries.…”

“…ADSC-Exos can boost the proliferation capacity of fibroblasts in vitro and within the wound area, increasing the expression of ki67 [ 228 ]. Additionally, they may increase the mRNA levels of genes encoding α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) [ 240 ].…”