Education, Science, Technology, Innovation and Life
Open Access
Sign In

Therapeutic Effects of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Derived Exosomes on Wound Healing in a Diabetic Mouse Model

Download as PDF

DOI: 10.23977/medsc.2025.060414 | Downloads: 4 | Views: 407

Author(s)

Kevin Yu 1, Qun Liu 1, Yuan Wang 1

Affiliation(s)

1 Novapath Medical Device Technology (Yantai) Co., Ltd, Yantai, China

Corresponding Author

Yuan Wang

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects over 537 million adults worldwide and is associated with a wide range of complications, among which chronic diabetic wounds—particularly diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs)—pose a serious clinical challenge. These wounds are notoriously resistant to standard therapies due to persistent hyperglycemia, impaired cellular function, chronic inflammation, and defective tissue remodeling. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of human mesenchymal stem cell–derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) for promoting wound healing in a diabetic mouse model, aiming to provide a cell-free, regenerative treatment alternative for chronic diabetic wounds. Full-thickness circular skin wounds were created on the dorsal surface, and mice were treated with MSC-Exos, recombinant human epidermal growth factor (rhEGF), or a negative control. MSC-Exos treatment resulted in significantly faster wound closure, averaging 22 days, compared to 27–30 days in the rhEGF group and negative control group. Histological analysis demonstrated reduced inflammation and more complete skin regeneration, including the development of hair follicles and sebaceous glands. These findings indicate that MSC-derived exosomes effectively enhance diabetic wound healing and offer potential as a novel therapy for chronic wounds.

KEYWORDS

Diabetes Mellitus, Diabetic Foot Ulcers, Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell, Exosomes

CITE THIS PAPER

Kevin Yu, Qun Liu, Yuan Wang, Therapeutic Effects of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell–Derived Exosomes on Wound Healing in a Diabetic Mouse Model. MEDS Clinical Medicine (2025) Vol. 6: 76-84. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/medsc.2025.060414.

REFERENCES

[1] Interational Diabetes Federation, Idf Diabetes Atlas 10th Edition,  (2021).
[2] Mujeeb Z Banday, Aga S Sameer, and Saniya Nissar,  (2020) 'Pathophysiology of Diabetes: An Overview', Avicenna journal of medicine, 10, 174-188.
[3] Paul W Franks,  (2012) 'The Complex Interplay of Genetic and Lifestyle Risk Factors in Type 2 Diabetes: An Overview', Scientifica, 2012, 482186.
[4] Marilyn C Cornelis, and Frank B Hu,  (2012) 'Gene-Environment Interactions in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes: Recent Progress and Continuing Challenges', Annual review of nutrition, 32, 245-259.
[5] Aditi Kulkarni, Archana R Thool, and Sachin Daigavane,  (2024) 'Understanding the Clinical Relationship between Diabetic Retinopathy, Nephropathy, and Neuropathy: A Comprehensive Review', Cureus, 16.
[6] Peng-Fei Shan, Qian Li, Mogher Khamaisi, and Gui-fen Qiang,  (2017) 'Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Macrovascular Complications', International Journal of Endocrinology, 2017, 4301461.
[7] Elena Tsourdi, Andreas Barthel, Hannes Rietzsch, Andreas Reichel, and Stefan R Bornstein,  (2013) 'Current Aspects in the Pathophysiology and Treatment of Chronic Wounds in Diabetes Mellitus', BioMed research international, 2013, 385641. 
[8] Richard IG Holt, Clive S Cockram, Ronald CW Ma, and Andrea OY Luk,  (2024) 'Diabetes and Infection: Review of the Epidemiology, Mechanisms and Principles of Treatment', Diabetologia, 67, 1168-1180.
[9] Mei Xue, Wei Xu, Ya-Nan Ou, Xi-Peng Cao, Meng-Shan Tan, Lan Tan, and Jin-Tai Yu,  (2019) 'Diabetes Mellitus and Risks of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of 144 Prospective Studies', Ageing research reviews, 55, 100944.
[10] Andrew JM Boulton, Loretta Vileikyte, Gunnel Ragnarson-Tennvall, and Jan Apelqvist,  (2005) 'The Global Burden of Diabetic Foot Disease', The Lancet, 366, 1719-1124.
[11] Harold Brem, and Marjana Tomic-Canic,  (2007) 'Cellular and Molecular Basis of Wound Healing in Diabetes', The Journal of clinical investigation, 117, 1219-1222.
[12] Haibo Deng, Binghui Li, Qian Shen, Chenchen Zhang, Liwen Kuang, Ran Chen, SiYuan Wang, ZhiQiang Ma, and Gongchi Li,  (2023) 'Mechanisms of Diabetic Foot Ulceration: A Review', Journal of diabetes, 15, 299-312.
[13] John Dawi, Kevin Tumanyan, Kirakos Tomas, Yura Misakyan, Areg Gargaloyan, Edgar Gonzalez, Mary Hammi, Serly Tomas, and Vishwanath Venketaraman,  (2025) 'Diabetic Foot Ulcers: Pathophysiology, Immune Dysregulation, and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies', Biomedicines, 13, 1076.
[14] Yaqing Huang, and Themis R Kyriakides,  (2020) 'The Role of Extracellular Matrix in the Pathophysiology of Diabetic Wounds', Matrix biology plus, 6, 100037.
[15] Vincent Falanga,  (2005) 'Wound Healing and Its Impairment in the Diabetic Foot', The Lancet, 366, 1736-1743.
[16] Michael A Del Core, Junho Ahn, Robert B Lewis III, Katherine M Raspovic, Trapper AJ Lalli, and Dane K Wukich,  (2018) 'The Evaluation and Treatment of Diabetic Foot Ulcers and Diabetic Foot Infections', Foot & Ankle Orthopaedics, 3, 2473011418788864.
[17] Vitali V Maldonado, Neel H Patel, Emma E Smith, C Lowry Barnes, Michael P Gustafson, Raj R Rao, and Rebekah M Samsonraj,  (2023) 'Clinical Utility of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells in Regenerative Medicine and Cellular Therapy', Journal of biological engineering, 17, 44.
[18] Ohad Karnieli, Yael Izhar-Prato, Shlomo Bulvik, and Shimon Efrat,  (2007) 'Generation of Insulin-Producing Cells from Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Genetic Manipulation', Stem cells, 25, 2837-2844.
[19] Muataz Kashbour, Abubaker Abdelmalik, Mazen Negmeldin Aly Yassin, Mohamed Abed, Ebtesam Aldieb, Duha Milad Abdullah, Taher Elmozugi, Yosser Isawi, Eman Hassan, and Fakhruddin Almuzghi,  (2025) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Therapy for Type 1 & 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials', Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome, 17, 189.
[20] Carl Randall Harrell, Nemanja Jovicic, Valentin Djonov, and Vladislav Volarevic,  (2020) 'Therapeutic Use of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes: From Basic Science to Clinics', Pharmaceutics, 12, 474.
[21] Hao Deng, Chun Sun, Yingxin Sun, Huhu Li, Lin Yang, Danbin Wu, Qing Gao, and Xijuan Jiang,  (2018) 'Lipid, Protein, and Microrna Composition within Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes', Cellular reprogramming, 20, 178-186.
[22] Defa Huang, Wenlong Huang, Meijin Liu, Jie Chen, Dewang Xiao, Zongbo Peng, Haoquan He, Haibin Shen, Qing Jin, and Linli Chen,  (2025) 'Progress of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Targeted Delivery of Antitumor Drugs', Cancer Cell International, 25, 169.
[23] Defa Huang, Haibin Shen, Fangfang Xie, Die Hu, Qing Jin, Yuexin Hu, and Tianyu Zhong,  (2024) 'Role of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in the Regeneration of Different Tissues', Journal of Biological Engineering, 18, 36.
[24] Si-Jia Sun, Rui Wei, Fei Li, Song-Yan Liao, and Hung-Fat Tse,  (2021) 'Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Exosomes in Cardiac Regeneration and Repair', Stem cell reports, 16, 1662-1673.
[25] Caterina Allegretta, Emanuele D’Amico, Virginia Manuti, Carlo Avolio, and Massimo Conese,  (2022) 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles and Their Therapeutic Use in Central Nervous System Demyelinating Disorders', International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23, 3829.
[26] Mohammad Hadi Gerami, Roya Khorram, Soheil Rasoolzadegan, Saeid Mardpour, Pooria Nakhaei, Soheyla Hashemi, Bashar Zuhair Talib Al-Naqeeb, Amir Aminian, and Sahar Samimi,  (2023) 'Emerging Role of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (Mscs) and Mscs-Derived Exosomes in Bone-and Joint-Associated Musculoskeletal Disorders: A New Frontier', European journal of medical research, 28, 86. 
[27] Mengmeng Yang, Jun Chen, and Li Chen,  (2022) 'The Roles of Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Related Complications', Frontiers in endocrinology, 13, 1027686.

Downloads: 9213
Visits: 555734

Sponsors, Associates, and Links


All published work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Copyright © 2016 - 2031 Clausius Scientific Press Inc. All Rights Reserved.