Advanced Diabetic Wound Healing Using Exosomes

Diabetes affects around 13% of American adults, often leading to complications like impaired wound healing, which can result in severe outcomes such as amputation. Finding effective treatments for diabetic wounds has become crucial due to issues like prolonged inflammation and poor blood vessel formation, which slow down healing. Recent research is exploring exosomes as a potential solution.

A team from NYU Langone and NYU Tandon, led by Jin Kim Montclare, is studying exosomes, small membrane-bound vesicles that carry biological materials like nucleic acids and proteins. These vesicles can promote tissue repair by enhancing intercellular communication. Their potential to aid wound healing was published in ACS Applied Bio Materials.

Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), particularly from adipose tissue, have shown promise in healing diabetic wounds in animal models. These therapeutic effects are linked to their ability to reduce inflammation and promote the formation of blood vessels, aiding in wound repair.

A key benefit of exosomes is that they bypass risks associated with stem cell therapies, such as immune rejection. However, they often require repeated injections, which complicates long-term treatment.

Montclare's team has developed an innovative solution by combining exosomes with hydrogels—polymers that can hold and release exosomes directly at the wound site. Hydrogel-exosome combinations have shown faster healing in diabetic wounds compared to using them separately.

In addition, Montclare’s team created a protein-based hydrogel called "Q," which self-assembles into nanofibers, offering mechanical strength. A new variant, Q5, was developed for increased stability, and when combined with exosomes, formed a system called Q5Exo, providing a non-invasive wound dressing.

In diabetic mouse models, Q5Exo significantly accelerated wound healing compared to injections. This suggests that protein-based hydrogels like Q5Exo could lead to a new generation of advanced wound dressings for diabetic patients, combining biocompatibility with the healing power of exosomes.