Stem Cell Research & Therapy (Apr 2021)

Human acellular amniotic membrane incorporating exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells promotes diabetic wound healing

  • Shune Xiao,
  • Chunfang Xiao,
  • Yong Miao,
  • Jin Wang,
  • Ruosi Chen,
  • Zhexiang Fan,
  • Zhiqi Hu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-021-02333-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 16

Abstract

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Abstract Background Diabetic wounds threaten the health and quality of life of patients and their treatment remains challenging. ADSC-derived exosomes have shown encouraging results in enhancing diabetic wound healing. However, how to use exosomes in wound treatment effectively is a problem that needs to be addressed at present. Methods A diabetic mouse skin wound model was established. ADSC-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exos) were isolated, and in vitro application of exosomes was evaluated using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). After preparation and characterization of a scaffold of human acellular amniotic membrane (hAAM) loaded with ADSC-Exos in vitro, they were transplanted into wounds in vivo and wound healing phenomena were observed by histological and immunohistochemical analyses to identify the wound healing mechanism of the exosome-hAAM composites. Results The hAAM scaffold dressing was very suitable for the delivery of exosomes. ADSC-Exos enhanced the proliferation and migration of HDFs and promoted proliferation and tube formation of HUVECs in vitro. In vivo results from a diabetic skin wound model showed that the hAAM-Exos dressing accelerated wound healing by regulating inflammation, stimulating vascularization, and promoting the production of extracellular matrix. Conclusion Exosome-incorporated hAAM scaffolds showed great potential in promoting diabetic skin wound healing, while also providing strong evidence for the future clinical applications of ADSC-derived exosomes.

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