RESUMO
Wound healing is a complicated process that involves many different types of cells and signaling pathways. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have shown great potential as a treatment to improve wound healing because they can modulate inflammation, promote the growth of new blood vessels, and stimulate the regeneration of tissue. Recent evidence indicates MSCs-derived extracellular vesicles known as exosomes may mediate many of the therapeutic effects of MSCs on wound healing. Exosomes contain bioactive molecules such as proteins, lipids, and RNAs that can be transferred to recipient cells to modulate cellular responses. This article reviews current evidence on the mechanisms and therapeutic effects of human umbilical cord MSCs (hUCMSCs)-derived exosomes on wound healing. In vitro and animal studies demonstrate that hUCMSC-derived exosomes promote fibroblast proliferation/migration, angiogenesis, and re-epithelialization while reducing inflammation and scar formation. These effects are mediated by exosomal transfer of cytokines, growth factors, and regulatory microRNAs that modulate signaling pathways involved in wound healing. Challenges remain in exosome isolation methods, optimizing targeting/retention, and translation to human studies. Nevertheless, hUCMSCs-derived exosomes show promise as a novel cell-free therapeutic approach to accelerate wound closure and improve healing outcomes. Further research is warranted to fully characterize hUCMSCs-exosomal mechanisms and explore their clinical potential for wound management.
RESUMO
Introduction: The skin plays a crucial role as a protective barrier against external factors, but disruptions to its integrity can lead to wound formation and hinder the natural healing process. Scar formation and delayed wound healing present significant challenges in skin injury treatment. While alternative approaches such as skin substitutes and tissue engineering exist, they are often limited in accessibility and cost. Exosomes have emerged as a potential solution for wound healing due to their regenerative properties. Methods: In this study, exosomes were isolated from human blood serum using a kit. The exosomes were characterized, and their effects on cell migration were assessed in vitro. Additionally, the wound healing capacity of exosomes was evaluated in vivo using a rat full-thickness wound model. Results: Our in vitro findings revealed that exosomes significantly promoted cell migration. In vivo experiments demonstrated that the injection of exosomes at different areas of the wound accelerated the wound healing process, resulting in wound closure, collagen synthesis, vessel formation, and angiogenesis in the wound area. These results suggest that exosomes have a promising therapeutic potential for expediting wound healing and minimizing scar formation. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the potential of exosomes as a novel approach for enhancing wound healing. Exosomes showed positive effects on both cell migration and wound closure in in vitro and in vivo studies, suggesting their potential use as a regenerative therapy for skin injuries. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of exosomes on wound healing and to optimize their application in clinical settings.