Exosome-based cell therapy for diabetic foot ulcers: Present and prospect
Zhou Yang,
Mengling Yang,
Shunli Rui,
Wei Hao,
Xiaohua Wu,
Lian Guo,
David G. Armstrong,
Cheng Yang,
Wuquan Deng
Affiliations
Zhou Yang
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
Mengling Yang
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
Shunli Rui
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
Wei Hao
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
Xiaohua Wu
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China
Lian Guo
Department of Endocrinology, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Three Gorges Central Hospital, Chongqing, 404000, China
David G. Armstrong
Department of Surgery, Keck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
Cheng Yang
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China; Corresponding author.
Wuquan Deng
Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, School of Medicine, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing, 400014, China; Corresponding author.
Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent a serious complication of diabetes with high incidence, requiring intensive treatment, prolonged hospitalization, and high costs. It poses a severe threat to the patient's life, resulting in substantial burdens on patient and healthcare system. However, the therapy of DFUs remains challenging. Therefore, exploring cell-free therapies for DFUs is both critical and urgent. Exosomes, as crucial mediators of intercellular communication, have been demonstrated potentially effective in anti-inflammation, angiogenesis, cell proliferation and migration, and collagen deposition. These functions have been proven beneficial in all stages of diabetic wound healing. This review aims to summarize the role and mechanisms of exosomes from diverse cellular sources in diabetic wound healing research. In addition, we elaborate on the challenges for clinical application, discuss the advantages of membrane vesicles as exosome mimics in wound healing, and present the therapeutic potential of exosomes and their mimetic vesicles for future clinical applications.
