Saliva exosomes-derived UBE2O mRNA promotes angiogenesis in cutaneous wounds by targeting SMAD6

Homologous cell membrane-based hydrogel creates spatiotemporal niches to improve outcomes of dysregulated chronic wound healing

The (M2M + TGF-β)@HAMA hydrogel dressing improves the outcomes of dysregulated chronic wound healing by protecting the open wound from repeated bacterial infections, reprogramming endogenous monocytes and M1 macrophages into an M2-phenotype, as well as enhancing fibroblastic proliferation and migration for matrix remodeling and granulation tissue formation.Image 1.

GelMA loaded with exosomes from human minor salivary gland organoids enhances wound healing by inducing macrophage polarization

Non-healing skin wounds pose significant clinical challenges, with biologic products like exosomes showing promise for wound healing. Saliva and saliva-derived exosomes, known to accelerate wound repair, yet their extraction is difficult due to the complex environment of oral cavity. In this study, as a viable alternative, we established human minor salivary gland organoids (hMSG-ORG) to produce exosomes (MsOrg-Exo). In vitro, MsOrg-Exo significantly enhanced cell proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis. When incorporated into a GelMA-based controlled-release system, MsOrg-Exo demonstrated controlled release, effectively improving wound closure, collagen synthesis, angiogenesis, and cellular proliferation in a murine skin wound model. Further molecular analyses revealed that MsOrg-Exo promotes proliferation, angiogenesis and the secretion of growth factors in wound sites. Proteomic profiling showed that MsOrg-Exo's protein composition is similar to human saliva and enriched in proteins essential for wound repair, immune modulation, and coagulation. Additionally, MsOrg-Exo was found to modulate macrophage polarization, inducing a shift towards M1 and M2 phenotypes in vitro within 48 h and predominantly towards the M2 phenotype in vivo after 15 days. In conclusion, our study successfully extracted MsOrg-Exo from hMSG-ORGs, confirmed the effectiveness of the controlled-release system combining MsOrg-Exo with GelMA in promoting skin wound healing, and explored the potential role of macrophages in this action.

Bioinspired Collagen Scaffold Loaded with bFGF-Overexpressing Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Accelerating Diabetic Skin Wound Healing via HIF-1 Signal Pathway Regulated Neovascularization

The healing of severe chronic skin wounds in chronic diabetic patients is still a huge clinical challenge due to complex regeneration processes and control signals. Therefore, a single approach is difficult in obtaining satisfactory therapeutic efficacy for severe diabetic skin wounds. In this study, we adopted a composite strategy for diabetic skin wound healing. First, we fabricated a collagen-based biomimetic skin scaffold. The human basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) gene was electrically transduced into human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs), and the stable bFGF-overexpressing UC-MSCs (bFGF-MSCs) clones were screened out. Then, an inspired collagen scaffold loaded with bFGF-MSCs was applied to treat full-thickness skin incision wounds in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. The mechanism of skin damage repair in diabetes mellitus was investigated using RNA-Seq and Western blot assays. The bioinspired collagen scaffold demonstrated good biocompatibility for skin-regeneration-associated cells such as human fibroblast (HFs) and endothelial cells (ECs). The bioinspired collagen scaffold loaded with bFGF-MSCs accelerated the diabetic full-thickness incision wound healing including cell proliferation enhancement, collagen deposition, and re-epithelialization, compared with other treatments. We also showed that the inspired skin scaffold could enhance the in vitro tube formation of ECs and the early angiogenesis process of the wound tissue in vivo. Further findings revealed enhanced angiogenic potential in ECs stimulated by bFGF-MSCs, evidenced by increased AKT phosphorylation and elevated HIF-1α and HIF-1β levels, indicating the activation of HIF-1 pathways in diabetic wound healing. Based on the superior biocompatibility and bioactivity, the novel bioinspired skin healing materials composed of the collagen scaffold and bFGF-MSCs will be promising for healing diabetic skin wounds and even other refractory tissue regenerations. The bioinspired collagen scaffold loaded with bFGF-MSCs could accelerate diabetic wound healing via neovascularization by activating HIF-1 pathways.

Lipid nanoparticle: advanced drug delivery systems for promotion of angiogenesis in diabetic wounds

Diabetic wound is one of the most challenge in healthcare, requiring innovative approaches to promote efficient healing. In recent years, lipid nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems have emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing diabetic wound repair by stimulating angiogenesis. These nanoparticles offer unique advantages, including improved drug stability, targeted delivery, and controlled release, making them promising in enhancing the formation of new blood vessels. In this review, we summarize the emerging advances in the utilization of lipid nanoparticles to deliver angiogenic agents and promote angiogenesis in diabetic wounds. Furthermore, we provide an in-depth exploration of key aspects, including the intricate design and fabrication of lipid nanoparticles, their underlying mechanisms of action, and a comprehensive overview of preclinical studies. Moreover, we address crucial considerations pertaining to safety and the translation of these innovative systems into clinical practice. By synthesizing and analyzing the available knowledge, our review offers valuable insights into the future prospects and challenges associated with utilizing the potential of lipid nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for promoting robust angiogenesis in the intricate process of diabetic wound healing.

Meta-analysis study of small extracellular vesicle nursing application therapies for healing of wounds and skin regeneration

We designed and performed this meta-analysis to investigate the impact of the application of extracellular small vesicle therapies on regeneration of skin and wound healing. The findings of this study were computed using fixed or random effect models. The mean differences (MDs), and odds ratio (ORs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. In this study, 43 publications were included, encompassing 530 animals with artificial wounds. Small extracellular vesicle therapy had a significant greater rate of wound closure (MD, 24.0; 95% CI, 19.98-28.02, P < 0.001), lower scar width (MD, -191.33; 95%CI, -292.26--90.4, P < 0.001), and higher blood vessel density (MD,36.11; 95%CI, 19.02-53.20, P < 0.001) compared to placebo. Our data revealed that small extracellular vesicle therapy had a significantly higher regeneration of skin and healing of wounds based on the results of wound closure rate, lower scar width, and higher blood vessel density compared to placebo. Future studies with larger sample size are needed.

Extracellular vesicles in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine: A review over the last decade

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are known to be secreted by a vast majority of cells. These sEVs, specifically exosomes, induce specific cell-to-cell interactions and can activate signaling pathways in recipient cells through fusion or interaction. These nanovesicles possess several desirable properties, making them ideal for regenerative medicine and nanomedicine applications. These properties include exceptional stability, biocompatibility, wide biodistribution, and minimal immunogenicity. However, the practical utilization of sEVs, particularly in clinical settings and at a large scale, is hindered by the expensive procedures required for their isolation, limited circulation lifetime, and suboptimal targeting capacity. Despite these challenges, sEVs have demonstrated a remarkable ability to accommodate various cargoes and have found extensive applications in the biomedical sciences. To overcome the limitations of sEVs and broaden their potential applications, researchers should strive to deepen their understanding of current isolation, loading, and characterization techniques. Additionally, acquiring fundamental knowledge about sEVs origins and employing state-of-the-art methodologies in nanomedicine and regenerative medicine can expand the sEVs research scope. This review provides a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art exosome-based strategies in diverse nanomedicine domains, encompassing cancer therapy, immunotherapy, and biomarker applications. Furthermore, we emphasize the immense potential of exosomes in regenerative medicine.

Role of Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (UBE2) in two immune-mediated inflammatory skin diseases: a mendelian randomization analysis

Psoriasis vulgaris (PV) and Atopic dermatitis (AD) are the two major types of immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease (IMISD). Limited studies reported the association between Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 (UBE2) and IMISD. We employed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to assess the causality between UBE2 and PV & AD. UBE2 association genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were collected. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was utilized as the principal method in our Mendelian randomization (MR) study, with additional using the MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. The MR-Egger intercept test, Cochran's Q test, MR-Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) and leave-one-out analysis were conducted to identify heterogeneity and pleiotropy, colocalization analysis was also performed. The results showed that Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 variant 1 (UBE2V1) was causally associated with PV (OR = 0.909, 95% CI: 0.830-0.996, P = 0.040), Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 L3 (UBE2L3) was causally associated with AD (OR = 0.799, 95% CI: 0.709-0.990, P < 0.001). Both UBE2V1 and UBE2L3 may play protective roles in patients with PV or AD, respectively. No other significant result has been investigated. No heterogeneity or pleiotropy was observed. This study provided new evidence of the relationship between UBE2V1 and PV, UBE2L3 and AD. Our MR suggested that UBE2V1 plays an inhibitory role in PV progression, UBE2L3 plays an inhibitory role in AD. These could be novel and effective ways to treat PV and AD.

New frontiers in salivary extracellular vesicles: transforming diagnostics, monitoring, and therapeutics in oral and systemic diseases

Salivary extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key tools for non-invasive diagnostics, playing a crucial role in the early detection and monitoring of diseases. These EVs surpass whole saliva in biomarker detection due to their enhanced stability, which minimizes contamination and enzymatic degradation. The review comprehensively discusses methods for isolating, enriching, quantifying, and characterizing salivary EVs. It highlights their importance as biomarkers in oral diseases like periodontitis and oral cancer, and underscores their potential in monitoring systemic conditions. Furthermore, the review explores the therapeutic possibilities of salivary EVs, particularly in personalized medicine through engineered EVs for targeted drug delivery. The discussion also covers the current challenges and future prospects in the field, emphasizing the potential of salivary EVs in advancing clinical practice and disease management.

Engineered Extracellular Vesicles in Chronic Kidney Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

Chronic kidney diseases (CKD) present a formidable global health challenge, characterized by a deficiency of effective treatment options. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), recognized as multifunctional drug delivery systems in biomedicine, have gained accumulative interest. Specifically, engineered EVs have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for targeted drug delivery, potentially addressing the complexities of CKD management. In this review, we systematically dissect EVs, elucidating their classification, biogenesis, composition, and cargo molecules. Furthermore, we explore techniques for EV engineering and strategies for their precise renal delivery, focusing on cargo loading and transportation, providing a comprehensive perspective. Moreover, this review also discusses and summarizes the diverse therapeutic applications of engineered EVs in CKD, emphasizing their anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, renoprotective, and tissue-regenerating effects. It critically evaluates the challenges and limitations in translating EV therapies from laboratory settings to clinical applications, while outlining future prospects and emerging trends.

Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Composites for Chronic Wound Healing: From Bench to Bedside

Chronic wounds are characterized by delayed and dysregulated healing processes. As such, they have emerged as an increasingly significant threat. The associated morbidity and socioeconomic toll are clinically and financially challenging, necessitating novel approaches in the management of chronic wounds. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an innovative type of porous coordination polymers, with low toxicity and high eco-friendliness. Documented anti-bacterial effects and pro-angiogenic activity predestine these nanomaterials as promising systems for the treatment of chronic wounds. In this context, the therapeutic applicability and efficacy of MOFs remain to be elucidated. It is, therefore, reviewed the structural-functional properties of MOFs and their composite materials and discusses how their multifunctionality and customizability can be leveraged as a clinical therapy for chronic wounds.

High glucose environment induces NEDD4 deficiency that impairs angiogenesis and diabetic wound healing

BACKGROUND

Healing of diabetic wounds, characterized by impaired angiogenesis, remains a clinical challenge. E3 ligase have been identified as potential therapeutic targets of wound healing.

OBJECTIVE

We assessed the role of E3 ligase NEDD4 in the context of angiogenesis and diabetic wound healing.

METHODS

The mRNA expression levels of NEDD4, TSP1 and VEGF were determined by real-time PCR. Western blotting was used to evaluate the protein expression of NEDD4, TSP1 and VEGF. The ubiquitination of TSP1 was evaluated by immunoprecipitation. MTT assay, wound healing assay and tube formation assay were performed to assess the proliferation, migration and angiogenic functions of endothelial cells. The epigenetic modification in the promoter of NEDD4 was confirmed using BSP assay and ChIP-qPCR assay. The role of NEDD4 in wound healing was further verified in diabetic mouse model.

RESULTS

NEDD4 promotes proliferation, migration and tube formation of endothelial cells. It binds to and ubiquitinates TSP1, which lead to TSP1 degradation and thus increased VEGF expression. The inhibitory effect of NEDD4 silencing on the angiogenesis ability of endothelial cells can be restored by TSP1 knockdown. NEDD4 is reduced in diabetic patients, which may due to hypermethylation of NEDD4 promoter mediated via DNMT1 under high glucose condition. Furthermore, inhibition of NEDD4 represses wound healing in diabetic mouse model.

CONCLUSION

NEDD4 might promote angiogenesis and wound healing by inhibiting TSP1 via ubiquitination in diabetic patients.

The mechanisms of exosomes in diabetic foot ulcers healing: a detailed review

As time goes by, the morbidity of diabetes mellitus continues to rise, and the economic burden of diabetic foot ulcers as a common and serious complication of diabetes is increasing. However, currently there is no unified clinical treatment strategy for this complication, and the therapeutic efficacy is unsatisfactory. Recent studies have revealed that biological effects of exosomes involved in multiple stages of the process of wound closure are similar to source cells. Compared with source cells, exosomes possess lowly immunogenicity, highly stability and easily stored, etc. Accumulating evidence confirmed that exosomes promote diabetic wound healing through various pathways such as promoting angiogenesis, collagen fiber deposition, and inhibiting inflammation. The superior therapeutic efficacy of exosomes in accelerating diabetic cutaneous wound healing has attracted an increasing attention. Notably, the molecular mechanisms of exosomes vary among different sources in the chronic wound closure of diabetes. This review focuses on the specific roles and mechanisms of different cell- or tissue-derived exosomes relevant to wound healing. Additionally, the paper provides an overview of the current pre-clinical and clinical applications of exosomes, illustrates their special advantages in wound repair. Furthermore, we discuss the potential obstacles and various solutions for future research on exosomes in the management of diabetic foot ulcer. The aim is to offer novel insights and approaches for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcer.

Harnessing Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles for the Regeneration of Degenerative Bone Conditions

Degenerative bone disorders such as intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), osteoarthritis (OA), and osteoporosis (OP) pose significant health challenges for aging populations and lack effective treatment options. The field of regenerative medicine holds promise in addressing these disorders, with a focus on utilizing extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from stem cells as an innovative therapeutic approach. EVs have shown great potential in stimulating biological responses, making them an attractive candidate for rejuvenating degenerative bone disorders. However, a comprehensive review summarizing the current state of this field and providing a clear assessment of EV-based therapies in degenerative bone disorders is currently deficient. In this review, we aim to fill the existing gap by outlining the current knowledge on the role of EVs derived from different types of stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells, in bone regeneration. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of EV-based treatments for IVDD, OA, and OP. By substantiating the use of stem cell-derived EVs, we highlight their promising potential as a cell-free strategy to improve degenerative bone disorders.

microRNAs delivered by small extracellular vesicles in MSCs as an emerging tool for bone regeneration

Bone regeneration is a dynamic process that involves angiogenesis and the balance of osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. In bone tissue engineering, the transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is a promising approach to restore bone homeostasis. MSCs, particularly their small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), exert therapeutic effects due to their paracrine capability. Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs) delivered by sEVs from MSCs (MSCs-sEVs) can alter gene expression in recipient cells and enhance bone regeneration. As an ideal delivery vehicle of miRNAs, MSCs-sEVs combine the high bioavailability and stability of sEVs with osteogenic ability of miRNAs, which can effectively overcome the challenge of low delivery efficiency in miRNA therapy. In this review, we focus on the recent advancements in the use of miRNAs delivered by MSCs-sEVs for bone regeneration and disorders. Additionally, we summarize the changes in miRNA expression in osteogenic-related MSCs-sEVs under different microenvironments.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in skin wound healing: roles, opportunities and challenges

Skin wounds are characterized by injury to the skin due to trauma, tearing, cuts, or contusions. As such injuries are common to all human groups, they may at times represent a serious socioeconomic burden. Currently, increasing numbers of studies have focused on the role of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in skin wound repair. As a cell-free therapy, MSC-derived EVs have shown significant application potential in the field of wound repair as a more stable and safer option than conventional cell therapy. Treatment based on MSC-derived EVs can significantly promote the repair of damaged substructures, including the regeneration of vessels, nerves, and hair follicles. In addition, MSC-derived EVs can inhibit scar formation by affecting angiogenesis-related and antifibrotic pathways in promoting macrophage polarization, wound angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and cell migration, and by inhibiting excessive extracellular matrix production. Additionally, these structures can serve as a scaffold for components used in wound repair, and they can be developed into bioengineered EVs to support trauma repair. Through the formulation of standardized culture, isolation, purification, and drug delivery strategies, exploration of the detailed mechanism of EVs will allow them to be used as clinical treatments for wound repair. In conclusion, MSC-derived EVs-based therapies have important application prospects in wound repair. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of their current status, application potential, and associated drawbacks.

The Characteristic Function of Blood-Derived Exosomes and Exosomal circRNAs Isolated from Dairy Cattle during the Dry Period and Mid-Lactation

Exosomes are key mediators of intercellular communication. They are secreted by most cells and contain a cargo of protein-coding genes, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), which modulate recipient cell behavior. Herein, we collected blood samples from Holstein cows at days 30 (mid-lactation) and 250 (dry period) of pregnancy. Prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen, and progesterone levels showed an obvious increase during D250. We then extracted exosomes from bovine blood samples and found that their sizes generally ranged from 100 to 200 nm. Further, Western blotting validated that they contained CD9, CD63, and TSG101, but not calnexin. Blood-derived exosomes significantly promoted the proliferation of mammary epithelial cells, particularly from D250. This change was accompanied by increased expression levels of proliferation marker proteins PCNA, cyclin D, and cyclin E, as detected by EdU assay, cell counting kit-8 assay, and flow cytometric cell cycle analysis. Moreover, we treated mammary epithelial cells with blood-derived exosomes that were isolated from the D30 and D250 periods. And RNA-seq of two groups of cells led to the identification of 839 differentially expressed genes that were significantly enriched in KEGG signaling pathways associated with apoptosis, cell cycle and proliferation. In bovine blood-derived exosomes, we found 12,747 protein-coding genes, 31,181 lncRNAs, 9374 transcripts of uncertain coding potential (TUCP) candidates, and 460 circRNAs, and 32 protein-coding genes, 806 lncRNAs, 515 TUCP candidates, and 45 circRNAs that were differentially expressed between the D30 and D250 groups. We selected six highly expressed and four differentially expressed circRNAs to verify their head-to-tail splicing using PCR and Sanger sequencing. To summarize, our findings improve our understanding of the key roles of blood-derived exosomes and the characterization of exosomal circRNAs in mammary gland development.

Advancements and Insights in Exosome-Based Therapies for Wound Healing: A Comprehensive Systematic Review (2018-June 2023)

Exosomes have shown promising potential as a therapeutic approach for wound healing. Nevertheless, the translation from experimental studies to commercially available treatments is still lacking. To assess the current state of research in this field, a systematic review was performed involving studies conducted and published over the past five years. A PubMed search was performed for English-language, full-text available papers published from 2018 to June 2023, focusing on exosomes derived from mammalian sources and their application in wound healing, particularly those involving in vivo assays. Out of 531 results, 148 papers were selected for analysis. The findings revealed that exosome-based treatments improve wound healing by increasing angiogenesis, reepithelization, collagen deposition, and decreasing scar formation. Furthermore, there was significant variability in terms of cell sources and types, biomaterials, and administration routes under investigation, indicating the need for further research in this field. Additionally, a comparative examination encompassing diverse cellular origins, types, administration pathways, or biomaterials is imperative. Furthermore, the predominance of rodent-based animal models raises concerns, as there have been limited advancements towards more complex in vivo models and scale-up assays. These constraints underscore the substantial efforts that remain necessary before attaining commercially viable and extensively applicable therapeutic approaches using exosomes.

SENP3 deletion promotes M2 macrophage polarization and accelerates wound healing through smad6/IκB/p65 signaling pathway

Macrophages preferentially polarize to the anti-inflammatory M2 subtype in response to alterations in the wound microenvironment. SUMO-specific protease 3 (SENP3), a SUMO-specific protease, has been proven to regulate inflammation in macrophages by deSUMOylating substrate proteins, but its contribution to wound healing is poorly defined. Here, we report that SENP3 deletion promotes M2 macrophage polarization and accelerates wound healing in macrophage-specific SENP3 knockout mice. Notably, it affects wound healing through the suppression of inflammation and promotion of angiogenesis and collagen remodeling. Mechanistically, we identified that SENP3 knockout facilitates M2 polarization through the Smad6/IκB/p65 signaling pathway. SENP3 knockout elevated the expression of Smad6 and IκB. Moreover, Smad6 silencing enhanced the expression of p-p65 and proinflammatory cytokines while inhibiting the level of IκB. Our study revealed the essential role of SENP3 in M2 polarization and wound healing, which offers a theoretical basis for further research and a therapeutic strategy for wound healing.

Removing the stumbling block of exosome applications in clinical and translational medicine: expand production and improve accuracy

Although the clinical application and transformation of exosomes are still in the exploration stage, the prospects are promising and have a profound impact on the future transformation medicine of exosomes. However, due to the limitation of production and poor targeting ability of exosomes, the extensive and rich biological functions of exosomes are restricted, and the potential of clinical transformation is limited. The current research is committed to solving the above problems and expanding the clinical application value, but it lacks an extensive, multi-angle, and comprehensive systematic summary and prospect. Therefore, we reviewed the current optimization strategies of exosomes in medical applications, including the exogenous treatment of parent cells and the improvement of extraction methods, and compared their advantages and disadvantages. Subsequently, the targeting ability was improved by carrying drugs and engineering the structure of exosomes to solve the problem of poor targeting ability in clinical transformation. In addition, we discussed other problems that may exist in the application of exosomes. Although the clinical application and transformation of exosomes are still in the exploratory stage, the prospects are promising and have a profound impact on drug delivery, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and regenerative medicine.

Current understanding of plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles in regulating the inflammatory response and immune system microenvironment

Natural compounds are widely used to prevent and treat various diseases due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. As a kind of promising natural compound, plant-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (PELNs) are extracted from multivesicular bodies of various edible plants, including vegetables, foods, and fruits, and mainly regulate the cellular immune response to pathogen attacks. Moreover, PELNs could remarkably interfere with the dynamic imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory effects, facilitating to maintain the homeostasis of cellular immune microenvironment. PELNs may serve as a better alternative to animal-derived exosomes (ADEs) owing to their widespread sources, cost-effectiveness, and easy accessibility. PELNs can mediate interspecies communication by transferring various cargoes such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids from plant cells to mammalian cells. This review summarizes the biogenesis, composition, and classification of exosomes; the common separation, purification, and characterization methods of PELNs, the potential advantages of PELNs over ADEs; and the anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory functions of PELNs in various diseases including colitis, cancer, and inflammation-associated metabolic diseases. Additionally, the future perspectives of PELNs and the challenges associated with their clinical application are discussed.

Biomembrane-Based Nanostructure- and Microstructure-Loaded Hydrogels for Promoting Chronic Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex and dynamic process, and metabolic disturbances in the microenvironment of chronic wounds and the severe symptoms they cause remain major challenges to be addressed. The inherent properties of hydrogels make them promising wound dressings. In addition, biomembrane-based nanostructures and microstructures (such as liposomes, exosomes, membrane-coated nanostructures, bacteria and algae) have significant advantages in the promotion of wound healing, including special biological activities, flexible drug loading and targeting. Therefore, biomembrane-based nanostructure- and microstructure-loaded hydrogels can compensate for their respective disadvantages and combine the advantages of both to significantly promote chronic wound healing. In this review, we outline the loading strategies, mechanisms of action and applications of different types of biomembrane-based nanostructure- and microstructure-loaded hydrogels in chronic wound healing.

Promising applications of human-derived saliva biomarker testing in clinical diagnostics

Saliva testing is a vital method for clinical applications, for its noninvasive features, richness in substances, and the huge amount. Due to its direct anatomical connection with oral, digestive, and endocrine systems, clinical usage of saliva testing for these diseases is promising. Furthermore, for other diseases that seeming to have no correlations with saliva, such as neurodegenerative diseases and psychological diseases, researchers also reckon saliva informative. Tremendous papers are being produced in this field. Updated summaries of recent literature give newcomers a shortcut to have a grasp of this topic. Here, we focused on recent research about saliva biomarkers that are derived from humans, not from other organisms. The review mostly addresses the proceedings from 2016 to 2022, to shed light on the promising usage of saliva testing in clinical diagnostics. We recap the recent advances following the category of different types of biomarkers, such as intracellular DNA, RNA, proteins and intercellular exosomes, cell-free DNA, to give a comprehensive impression of saliva biomarker testing.

Liquid biopsies based on DNA methylation as biomarkers for the detection and prognosis of lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) is the main cause of cancer-related mortality. Most LC patients are diagnosed in an advanced stage when the symptoms are obvious, and the prognosis is quite poor. Although low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is a routine clinical examination for early detection of LC, the false-positive rate is over 90%. As one of the intensely studied epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation plays a key role in various diseases, including cancer and other diseases. Hypermethylation in tumor suppressor genes or hypomethylation in oncogenes is an important event in tumorigenesis. Remarkably, DNA methylation usually occurs in the very early stage of malignant tumors. Thus, DNA methylation analysis may provide some useful information about the early detection of LC. In recent years, liquid biopsy has developed rapidly. Liquid biopsy can detect and monitor both primary and metastatic malignant tumors and can reflect tumor heterogeneity. Moreover, it is a minimally invasive procedure, and it causes less pain for patients. This review summarized various liquid biopsies based on DNA methylation for LC. At first, we briefly discussed some emerging technologies for DNA methylation analysis. Subsequently, we outlined cell-free DNA (cfDNA), sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, bronchial aspirates, and bronchial washings DNA methylation-based liquid biopsy for the early detection of LC. Finally, the prognostic value of DNA methylation in cfDNA and sputum and the diagnostic value of other DNA methylation-based liquid biopsies for LC were also analyzed.

Extracellular vesicle: A magic lamp to treat skin aging, refractory wound, and pigmented dermatosis?

Exposure of the skin to an external stimulus may lead to a series of irreversible dysfunctions, such as skin aging, refractory wounds, and pigmented dermatosis. Nowadays, many cutaneous treatments have failed to strike a balance between cosmetic needs and medical recovery. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are one of the most promising therapeutic tools. EVs are cell-derived nanoparticles that can carry a variety of cargoes, such as nucleic acids, lipids, and proteins. They also have the ability to communicate with neighboring or distant cells. A growing body of evidence suggests that EVs play a significant role in skin repair. We summarize the current findings of EV therapy in skin aging, refractory wound, and pigmented dermatosis and also describe the novel engineering strategies for optimizing EV function and therapeutic outcomes.

Behind the Scenes of Extracellular Vesicle Therapy for Skin Injuries and Disorders

Significance: Skin wounds and disorders compromise the protective functions of skin and patient quality of life. Although accessible on the surface, they are challenging to address due to paucity of effective therapies. Exogenous extracellular vesicles (EVs) and cell-free derivatives of adult multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) are developing as a treatment modality. Knowledge of origin MSCs, EV processing, and mode of action is necessary for directed use of EVs in preclinical studies and methodical translation. Recent Advances: Nanoscale to microscale EVs, although from nonskin cells, induce functional responses in cutaneous wound cellular milieu. EVs allow a shift from cell-based to cell-free/derived modalities by carrying the MSC beneficial factors but eliminating risks associated with MSC transplantation. EVs have demonstrated striking efficacy in resolution of preclinical wound models, specifically within the complexity of skin structure and wound pathology. Critical Issues: To facilitate comparison across studies, tissue sources and processing of MSCs, culture conditions, isolation and preparations of EVs, and vesicle sizes require standardization as these criteria influence EV types and contents, and potentially determine the induced biological responses. Procedural parameters for all steps preceding the actual therapeutic administration may be the key to generating EVs that demonstrate consistent efficacy through known mechanisms. We provide a comprehensive review of such parameters and the subsequent tissue, cellular and molecular impact of the derived EVs in different skin wounds/disorders. Future Directions: We will gain more complete knowledge of EV-induced effects in skin, and specificity for different wounds/conditions. The safety and efficacy of current preclinical xenogenic applications will favor translation into allogenic clinical applications of EVs as a biologic.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Wound Healing

The well-orchestrated process of wound healing may be negatively impacted from interrupted or incomplete tissue regenerative processes. The healing potential is further compromised in patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic venous insufficiency, critical limb ischemia, and immunocompromised conditions, with a high health care burden and expenditure. Stem cell-based therapy has shown promising results in clinical studies. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC Exos) may favorably impact intercellular signaling and immunomodulation, promoting neoangiogenesis, collagen synthesis, and neoepithelization. This article gives an outline of the biogenesis and mechanism of extracellular vesicles (EVs), particularly exosomes, in the process of tissue regeneration and discusses the use of preconditioned exosomes, platelet-rich plasma-derived exosomes, and engineered exosomes in three-dimensional bioscaffolds such as hydrogels (collagen and chitosan) to prolong the contact time of exosomes at the recipient site within the target tissue. An appropriate antibiotic therapy based on culture-specific guidance coupled with the knowledge of biopolymers helps to fabricate nanotherapeutic materials loaded with MSC Exos to effectively deliver drugs locally and promote novel approaches for the management of chronic wounds.

UBE2O promotes lipid metabolic reprogramming and liver cancer progression by mediating HADHA ubiquitination

Cancer cells rely on heightened protein quality control mechanisms, including the ubiquitin-proteosome system that is predominantly driven by ubiquitination comprising E1, E2, and E3 trienzyme cascades. Although E3s have been extensively studied, the implication of E2s in tumorigenesis is poorly defined. Here we reveal a critical E2 in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Among all of E2s, UBE2O shows the strongest association with HCC survival prognosis, and its expression is increased in HCC tumors. Accordingly, UBE2O deficiency inhibits HCC growth and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo, while its overexpression has opposite effects. Depending on both E2 and E3 enzymatic activities, UBE2O can interact with and mediate the ubiquitination and degradation of HADHA, a mitochondrial β-oxidation enzyme, thereby modulating lipid metabolic reprogramming. HADHA is reduced in HCC tumors and inversely correlated with UBE2O levels. Importantly, HADHA acts as a tumor suppressor and primarily mediates UBE2O's function on HCC. Moreover, liver-specific deletion of Ube2o in mice are resistant to DEN-induced hepatocarcinogenesis, along with HADHA upregulation and reduced hepatic lipid accumulation. These data reveal UBE2O as a novel oncogenic driver for metabolic reprogramming and HCC development, highlighting the potential of targeting UBE2O/HADHA axis for HCC therapy.

Extracellular vesicles as a novel photosensitive drug delivery system for enhanced photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising non-invasive therapeutic approach that utilizes photosensitizers (PSs) to generate highly reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen, for removal of targeted cells. PDT has been proven efficacious for the treatment of several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and diabetic ocular disease. However, the therapeutic efficacy of PDT is limited and often accompanied by side effects, largely due to non-specific delivery of PSs beyond the desired lesion site. Over the past decade, despite various nanoparticular drug delivery systems developed have markedly improved the treatment efficacy while reducing the off-target effects of PSs, concerns over the safety and toxicity of synthetic nanomaterials following intravenous administration are raised. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a type of nanoparticle released from cells, are emerging as a natural drug delivery system for PSs in light of EV's potentially low immunogenicity and biocompatibility compared with other nanoparticles. This review aims to provide an overview of the research progress in PS delivery systems and propose EVs as an alternative PS delivery system for PDT. Moreover, the challenges and future perspectives of EVs for PS delivery are discussed.

The roles of small extracellular vesicles as prognostic biomarkers and treatment approaches in triple-negative breast cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive and invasive breast cancer subtype and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Treatment approaches for TNBC remain limited partly due to the lack of expression of well-known molecular targets. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) carrying a variety of bioactive contents play an important role in intercellular communications. The biomolecules including nucleic acids, proteins, and metabolites can be transferred locally or systematically to recipient cells and regulate their biological states and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. Recently, despite the extensive attraction to the physiological functions of sEVs, few studies focus on the roles of sEVs in TNBC. In this review, we will summarize the involvement of sEVs in the tumor microenvironment of TNBC. Moreover, we will discuss the potential roles of sEVs as diagnostic markers and treatment therapy in this heterogeneous breast cancer subtype. We finally summarize the clinical application of sEVs in TNBC.

Efficacy and safety of small extracellular vesicle interventions in wound healing and skin regeneration: A systematic review and meta-analysis of animal studies

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) have been proposed as a possible solution to the current lack of therapeutic interventions for endogenous skin regeneration. We conducted a systematic review of the available evidence to assess sEV therapeutic efficacy and safety in wound healing and skin regeneration in animal models. 68 studies were identified in Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed that satisfied a set of prespecified inclusion criteria. We critically analyzed the quality of studies that satisfied our inclusion criteria, with an emphasis on methodology, reporting, and adherence to relevant guidelines (including MISEV2018 and ISCT criteria). Overall, our systematic review and meta-analysis indicated that sEV interventions promoted skin regeneration in diabetic and non-diabetic animal models and influenced various facets of the healing process regardless of cell source, production protocol and disease model. The EV source, isolation methods, dosing regimen, and wound size varied among the studies. Modification of sEVs was achieved mainly by manipulating source cells via preconditioning, nanoparticle loading, genetic manipulation, and biomaterial incorporation to enhance sEV therapeutic potential. Evaluation of potential adverse effects received only minimal attention, although none of the studies reported harmful events. Risk of bias as assessed by the SYRCLE's ROB tool was uncertain for most studies due to insufficient reporting, and adherence to guidelines was limited. In summary, sEV therapy has enormous potential for wound healing and skin regeneration. However, reproducibility and comprehensive evaluation of evidence are challenged by a general lack of transparency in reporting and adherence to guidelines. Methodological rigor, standardization, and risk analysis at all stages of research are needed to promote translation to clinical practice.

The Regulatory Role of Ferroptosis in Bone Homeostasis

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death and an important type of biological catabolism. Through the action of divalent iron or ester oxygenase, ferroptosis can induce lipid peroxidation and cell death, regulating a variety of physiological processes. The role of ferroptosis in the modulation of bone homeostasis is a significant topic of interest. Herein, we review and discuss recent studies exploring the mechanisms and functions of ferroptosis in different bone-related cells, including mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes. The association between ferroptosis and disorders of bone homeostasis is also explored in this review. Overall, we aim to provide a detailed overview of ferroptosis, summarizing recent understanding on its role in regulation of bone physiology and bone disease pathogenesis.

Exosomal PD-L1 induces osteogenic differentiation and promotes fracture healing by acting as an immunosuppressant

A moderate inflammatory response at the early stages of fracture healing is necessary for callus formation. Over-active and continuous inflammation, however, impairs fracture healing and leads to excessive tissue damage. Adequate fracture healing could be promoted through suppression of local over-active immune cells in the fracture site. In the present study, we achieved an enriched concentration of PD-L1 from exosomes (Exos) of a genetically engineered Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVECs), and demonstrated that exosomes overexpressing PD-L1 specifically bind to PD-1 on the T cell surface, suppressing the activation of T cells. Furthermore, exosomal PD-L1 induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) towards osteogenic differentiation when pre-cultured with T cells. Moreover, embedding of Exos into an injectable hydrogel allowed Exos delivery to the surrounding microenvironment in a time-released manner. Additionally, exosomal PD-L1, embedded in a hydrogel, markedly promoted callus formation and fracture healing in a murine model at the early over-active inflammation phase. Importantly, our results suggested that activation of T cells in the peripheral lymphatic tissues was inhibited after local administration of PD-L1-enriched Exos to the fracture sites, while T cells in distant immune organs such as the spleen were not affected. In summary, this study provides the first example of using PD-L1-enriched Exos for bone fracture repair, and highlights the potential of Hydrogel@Exos systems for bone fracture therapy through immune inhibitory effects.

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Combined With Extracellular Vesicles May Improve Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

The complexity of central nervous system diseases together with their intricate pathogenesis complicate the establishment of effective treatment strategies. Presently, the superiority of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) on neuronal injuries has attracted significant attention. Similarly, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are potential interventional agents that could identify and treat nerve injuries. Herein, we reviewed the potential effects of ADSCs and EVs on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) injured nerves, and expound on their practical application in the clinic setting. This article predominantly focused on the therapeutic role of ADSCs concerning the pathogenesis of ALS, the protective and reparative effects of EVs on nerve injury, as well as the impact following the combined usage of ADSCs and EVs in ALS.

Tanshinone Ameliorates Glucocorticoid-Induced Bone Loss via Activation of AKT1 Signaling Pathway

Purpose: Osteoporosis, a common disorder especially prevalent in the postmenopausal women and the elderly, is becoming a worldwide public health problem. Osteoporosis can cause severe joint pain, fragility fractures, and other symptoms, which can seriously impair the daily lives of affected patients. Currently, no gold-standard drug is available that can completely cure osteoporosis. Tanshinone is a traditional Chinese medicine, which can exhibit multiple biological activities. It might also display a protective effect on osteoporosis. However, the molecular mechanism through which tanshinone can improve osteoporosis remain unclear. The objective of our study is to explore the underlying mechanism behind the protective actions of tanshinone. Methods: The common KEGG pathways of tanshinone-targeted genes and osteoporosis were analyzed by using bioinformatics analysis. The bioinformatics analysis results were further validated both by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results: 21 common KEGG pathways were identified between osteoporosis and tanshinone-targeted genes. It was further found that tanshinone could induce expression of AKT1, promote the proliferation of MSCs, and ultimately suppress their apoptosis. Conclusion: Taken together, our findings indicate that tanshinone can alleviate osteoporosis, its effect was potentially mediated through modulating AKT1 expression. Thus, tanshinone could serve as a promising treatment option for osteoporosis.

MicroRNAs Influence the Migratory Ability of Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

To identify miRNAs that are involved in cell migration in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), we employed RNA sequencing under high glucose incubation and text mining within the databases miRWalk and TargetScanHuman using 83 genes that regulate HUVECs migration. From both databases, 307 predicted miRNAs were retrieved. Differentially expressed miRNAs were determined by exposing HUVECs to high glucose stimulation, which significantly inhibited the migratory ability of HUVECs as compared to cells cultured in normal glucose. A total of 35 miRNAs were found as differently expressed miRNAs in miRNA sequencing, and 4 miRNAs, namely miR-21-3p, miR-107, miR-143-3p, and miR-106b-5p, were identified as overlapping hits. These were subjected to hub gene analysis and pathway analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), identifing 71 pathways which were influenced by all four miRNAs. The influence of all four miRNAs on HUVEC migration was phenomorphologically confirmed. miR21 and miR107 promoted migration in HUVECs while miR106b and miR143 inhibited migration. Pathway analysis also revealed eight shared pathways between the four miRNAs. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was then performed to predict the functionality of interacting genes or proteins. This revealed six hub genes which could firstly be predicted to be related to HUVEC migration.

The Impact of Early Saliva Interaction on Dental Implants and Biomaterials for Oral Regeneration: An Overview

The presence of saliva in the oral environment is relevant for several essential health processes. However, the noncontrolled early saliva interaction with biomaterials manufactured for oral rehabilitation may generate alterations in the superficial properties causing negative biological outcomes. Therefore, the present review aimed to provide a compilation of all possible physical-chemical-biological changes caused by the early saliva interaction in dental implants and materials for oral regeneration. Dental implants, bone substitutes and membranes in dentistry possess different properties focused on improving the healing process when in contact with oral tissues. The early saliva interaction was shown to impair some positive features present in biomaterials related to quick cellular adhesion and proliferation, such as surface hydrophilicity, cellular viability and antibacterial properties. Moreover, biomaterials that interacted with contaminated saliva containing specific bacteria demonstrated favorable conditions for increased bacterial metabolism. Additionally, the quantity of investigations associating biomaterials with early saliva interaction is still scarce in the current literature and requires clarification to prevent clinical failures. Therefore, clinically, controlling saliva exposure to sites involving the application of biomaterials must be prioritized in order to reduce impairment in important biomaterial properties developed for rapid healing.

Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Accelerate Diabetic Wound Healing via Ameliorating Oxidative Stress and Promoting Angiogenesis

Diabetic wounds remain a great challenge for clinicians due to the multiple bacterial infections and oxidative damage. Exosomes, as an appealing nanodrug delivery system, have been widely applied in the treatment of diabetic wounds. Endovascular cells are important component cells of the vascular wall. Herein, we investigated the effects of HUCMSCs and HUC-Exos (exosomes secreted by HUCMSCs) on diabetic wound healing. In this study, HUVECs were coincubated with HUCMSCs, and HUC-Exos were utilized for in vitro and in vivo experiments to verify their roles in the regulation of diabetic wound healing. Our results demonstrated that HUCMSCs have the ability to regulate oxidative stress injuries of endothelial cells through exosomes and accelerate diabetic cutaneous wound healing in vitro. The present study suggests that HUC-Exos accelerate diabetic cutaneous wound healing, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for chronic diabetic wound repair.

Potential Role of Exosomes in Ischemic Stroke Treatment

Ischemic stroke is a life-threatening cerebral vascular disease and accounts for high disability and mortality worldwide. Currently, no efficient therapeutic strategies are available for promoting neurological recovery in clinical practice, except rehabilitation. The majority of neuroprotective drugs showed positive impact in pre-clinical studies but failed in clinical trials. Therefore, there is an urgent demand for new promising therapeutic approaches for ischemic stroke treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that exosomes mediate communication between cells in both physiological and pathological conditions. Exosomes have received extensive attention for therapy following a stroke, because of their unique characteristics, such as the ability to cross the blood brain-barrier, low immunogenicity, and low toxicity. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated positively neurorestorative effects of exosome-based therapy, which are largely mediated by the microRNA cargo. Herein, we review the current knowledge of exosomes, the relationships between exosomes and stroke, and the therapeutic effects of exosome-based treatments in neurovascular remodeling processes after stroke. Exosomes provide a viable and prospective treatment strategy for ischemic stroke patients.

All-in-One: Multifunctional Hydrogel Accelerates Oxidative Diabetic Wound Healing through Timed-Release of Exosome and Fibroblast Growth Factor

The treatment of diabetic wounds remains a major challenge in clinical practice, with chronic wounds characterized by multiple drug-resistant bacterial infections, angiopathy, and oxidative damage to the microenvironment. Herein, a novel in situ injectable HA@MnO₂ /FGF-2/Exos hydrogel is introduced for improving diabetic wound healing. Through a simple local injection, this hydrogel is able to form a protective barrier covering the wound, providing rapid hemostasis and long-term antibacterial protection. The MnO₂ /ε-PL nanosheet is able to catalyze the excess H₂ O₂ produced in the wound, converting it to O₂ , thus not only eliminating the harmful effects of H₂ O₂ but also providing O₂ for wound healing. Moreover, the release of M2-derived Exosomes (M2 Exos) and FGF-2 growth factor stimulates angiogenesis and epithelization, respectively. These in vivo and in vitro results demonstrate accelerated healing of diabetic wounds with the use of the HA@MnO₂ /FGF-2/Exos hydrogel, presenting a viable strategy for chronic diabetic wound repair.

Hollow polydopamine nanoparticles loading with peptide RL-QN15: a new pro-regenerative therapeutic agent for skin wounds

BACKGROUND

Although the treatments of skin wounds have greatly improved with the increase in therapeutic methods and agents, available interventions still cannot meet the current clinical needs. Therefore, the development of new pro-regenerative therapies remains urgent. Owing to their unique characteristics, both nanomaterials and peptides have provided novel clues for the development of pro-regenerative agents, however, more efforts were still be awaited and anticipated.

RESULTS

In the current research, Hollow polydopamine (HPDA) nanoparticles were synthesized and HPDA nanoparticles loading with RL-QN15 (HPDAlR) that was an amphibian-derived peptide with obvious prohealing activities were prepared successfully. The characterization, biodistribution and clearance of both HPDA nanoparticles and HPDAlR were evaluated, the loading efficiency of HPDA against RL-QN15 and the slow-releasing rate of RL-QN15 from HPDAlR were also determined. Our results showed that both HPDA nanoparticles and HPDAlR exerted no obvious toxicity against keratinocyte, macrophage and mice, and HPDA nanoparticles showed no prohealing potency in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, HPDAlR significantly enhanced the ability of RL-QN15 to accelerate the healing of scratch of keratinocytes and selectively modulate the release of healing-involved cytokines from macrophages. More importantly, in comparison with RL-QN15, by evaluating on animal models of full-thickness injured skin wounds in mice and oral ulcers in rats, HPDAlR showed significant increasing in the pro-regenerative potency of 50 and 10 times, respectively. Moreover, HPDAlR also enhanced the prohealing efficiency of peptide RL-QN15 against skin scald in mice and full-thickness injured wounds in swine.

CONCLUSIONS

HPDA obviously enhanced the pro-regenerative potency of RL-QN15 in vitro and in vivo, hence HPDAlR exhibited great potential in the development of therapeutics for skin wound healing.

Extracellular Vesicles in Skin Wound Healing

Each year, millions of individuals suffer from a non-healing wound, abnormal scarring, or injuries accompanied by an infection. For these cases, scientists are searching for new therapeutic interventions, from which one of the most promising is the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Naturally, EV-based signaling takes part in all four wound healing phases: hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Such an extensive involvement of EVs suggests exploiting their action to modulate the impaired healing phase. Furthermore, next to their natural wound healing capacity, EVs can be engineered for better defined pharmaceutical purposes, such as carrying specific cargo or targeting specific destinations by labelling them with certain surface proteins. This review aims to promote scientific awareness in basic and translational research of EVs by summarizing the current knowledge about their natural role in each stage of skin repair and the most recent findings in application areas, such as wound healing, skin regeneration, and treatment of dermal diseases, including the stem cell-derived, plant-derived, and engineered EVs.

Platelet-Rich Plasma-Derived Exosomal USP15 Promotes Cutaneous Wound Healing via Deubiquitinating EIF4A1

Epithelial regeneration is an essential wound healing process, and recent work suggests that different types of exosomes (Exos) can improve wound repair outcomes by promoting such epithelial regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is known to facilitate enhanced wound healing, yet the mechanisms underlying its activity are poorly understood. To explore these mechanisms, we first isolated PRP-derived Exos (PRP-Exos). Using immortalized keratinocytes (HaCaT cells) treated with PBS, PRP, or PRP-Exos, we conducted a series of in vitro Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), EdU, scratch wound, and transwell assays. We then established a wound defect model in vivo in mice and assessed differences in the mRNA expression within these wounds to better understand the basis for PRP-mediated wound healing. The functions of PRP-Exos and USP15 in the context of wound healing were then confirmed through additional in vitro and in vivo experiments. We found that PRP-Exos effectively promoted the in vitro proliferation, migration, and wound healing activity of HaCaT cells. USP15 was further identified as a key mediator through which these PRP-Exos were able to promote tissue repair both in vitro and in vivo. At a mechanistic level, USP15 enhanced the functional properties of HaCaT cells by promoting EIF4A1 deubiquitination. Thus, PRP-Exos and USP15 represent promising tools that can promote wound healing via enhancing epithelial regeneration.

A Scarless Healing Tale: Comparing Homeostasis and Wound Healing of Oral Mucosa With Skin and Oesophagus

Epithelial tissues are the most rapidly dividing tissues in the body, holding a natural ability for renewal and regeneration. This ability is crucial for survival as epithelia are essential to provide the ultimate barrier against the external environment, protecting the underlying tissues. Tissue stem and progenitor cells are responsible for self-renewal and repair during homeostasis and following injury. Upon wounding, epithelial tissues undergo different phases of haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling, often resulting in fibrosis and scarring. In this review, we explore the phenotypic differences between the skin, the oesophagus and the oral mucosa. We discuss the plasticity of these epithelial stem cells and contribution of different fibroblast subpopulations for tissue regeneration and wound healing. While these epithelial tissues share global mechanisms of stem cell behaviour for tissue renewal and regeneration, the oral mucosa is known for its outstanding healing potential with minimal scarring. We aim to provide an updated review of recent studies that combined cell therapy with bioengineering exporting the unique scarless properties of the oral mucosa to improve skin and oesophageal wound healing and to reduce fibrotic tissue formation. These advances open new avenues toward the ultimate goal of achieving scarless wound healing.

Exosomes derived from pioglitazone-pretreated MSCs accelerate diabetic wound healing through enhancing angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Enhanced angiogenesis can promote diabetic wound healing. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes, which are cell-free therapeutics, are promising candidates for the treatment of diabetic wound healing. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of exosomes derived from MSCs pretreated with pioglitazone (PGZ-Exos) on diabetic wound healing.

RESULTS

We isolated PGZ-Exos from the supernatants of pioglitazone-treated BMSCs and found that PGZ-Exos significantly promote the cell viability and proliferation of Human Umbilical Vein Vascular Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) injured by high glucose (HG). PGZ-Exos enhanced the biological functions of HUVECs, including migration, tube formation, wound repair and VEGF expression in vitro. In addition, PGZ-Exos promoted the protein expression of p-AKT, p-PI3K and p-eNOS and suppressed that of PTEN. LY294002 inhibited the biological function of HUVECs through inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway. In vivo modeling in diabetic rat wounds showed that pioglitazone pretreatment enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs-derived exosomes and accelerated diabetic wound healing via enhanced angiogenesis. In addition, PGZ-Exos promoted collagen deposition, ECM remodeling and VEGF and CD31 expression, indicating adequate angiogenesis in diabetic wound healing.

CONCLUSIONS

PGZ-Exos accelerated diabetic wound healing by promoting the angiogenic function of HUVECs through activation of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway. This offers a promising novel cell-free therapy for treating diabetic wound healing.

The novel mechanisms and applications of exosomes in dermatology and cutaneous medical aesthetics

Exposure to the external environment may lead to instability and dysfunction of the skin, resulting in refractory wound, skin aging, pigmented dermatosis, hair loss, some immune-mediated dermatoses, and connective tissue diseases. Nowadays, many skin treatments have not achieved a commendable balance between medical recovery and cosmetic needs. Exosomes are cell-derived nanoscale vesicles carrying various biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, with the capability to communicate with adjacent or distant cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that endogenic multiple kinds of exosomes are crucial orchestrators in shaping physiological and pathological development of the skin. Besides, exogenous exosomes, such as stem cell exosomes, can serve as novel treatment options to repair, regenerate, and rejuvenate skin tissue. Herein, we review new insights into the role of endogenic and exogenous exosomes in the skin microenvironment and recent advances in applications of exosomes related to dermatology and cutaneous medical aesthetics. The deep understanding of the mechanisms by which exosomes perform biological functions in skin is of great potential to establish attractive therapeutic methods for the skin.

Nanocomposite scaffolds for accelerating chronic wound healing by enhancing angiogenesis

Skin is the body's first barrier against external pathogens that maintains the homeostasis of the body. Any serious damage to the skin could have an impact on human health and quality of life. Tissue engineering aims to improve the quality of damaged tissue regeneration. One of the most effective treatments for skin tissue regeneration is to improve angiogenesis during the healing period. Over the last decade, there has been an impressive growth of new potential applications for nanobiomaterials in tissue engineering. Various approaches have been developed to improve the rate and quality of the healing process using angiogenic nanomaterials. In this review, we focused on molecular mechanisms and key factors in angiogenesis, the role of nanobiomaterials in angiogenesis, and scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches for accelerated wound healing based on improved angiogenesis.

Novel Genes Potentially Involved in Fibroblasts of Diabetic Wound

Fibroblasts are the essential cell type of skin, highly involved in the wound regeneration process. In this study, we sought to screen out the novel genes which act important roles in diabetic fibroblasts through bioinformatic methods. A total of 811 and 490 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between diabetic and normal fibroblasts were screened out in GSE49566 and GSE78891, respectively. Furthermore, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways involved in type 2 diabetes were retrieved from miRWalk. Consequently, the integrated bioinformatic analyses revealed the shared KEGG pathways between DEG-identified and diabetes-related pathways were functionally enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, and the MAPKAPK3, HSPA2, TGFBR1, and p53 signaling pathways were involved. Finally, ETV4 and NPE2 were identified as the targeted transcript factors of MAPKAPK3, HSPA2, and TGFBR1. Our findings may throw novel sight in elucidating the molecular mechanisms of fibroblast pathologies in patients with diabetic wounds and targeting new factors to advance diabetic wound treatment in clinic.

Integrated Bioinformatics-Based Identification of Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers Associated with Diabetic Foot Ulcer Development

The present study was designed to detect possible biomarkers associated with diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) incidence in an effort to develop novel treatments for this condition. The GSE7014 and GSE29221 gene expression datasets were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, after which differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between DFU and healthy samples. These DEGs were then arranged into a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment analyses were performed to explore the functional roles of these genes. In total, 1192 DEGs were identified in the GSE7014 dataset (900 upregulated, 292 downregulated), while 1177 were identified in the GSE29221 dataset (257 upregulated, 919 downregulated). GO analyses revealed these DEGs to be significantly enriched in biological processes including sarcomere organization, muscle filament sliding, and the regulation of cardiac conduction, molecular functions including structural constituent of muscle, protein binding, and calcium ion binding, and cellular components including Z disc, myosin filament, and M band. These DEGs were also enriched in the adrenergic signaling in cardiomyoctes, dilated cardiomyopathy, and tight junction KEGG pathways. Together, the findings of these bioinformatics analyses thus identified key hub genes associated with DFU development.

Functional Analysis of Estrogen Receptor 1 in Diabetic Wound Healing: A Knockdown Cell-Based and Bioinformatic Study

Background

Diabetic wound (DW) treatment is a serious challenge for clinicians, and the underlying mechanisms of DWs remain elusive. We sought to identify the critical genes in the development of DWs and provide potential targets for DW therapies.

Material/Methods

Datasets of GSE38396 from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were reviewed. Pathway analysis was performed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology term analyses were carried out, and Cytoscape software (Cytoscape 3.7.2) was used to construct the protein interaction network. Serum samples from patients with diabetes and control participants were collected, and the expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) was measured by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. In addition, the function of ESR1 in human skin fibroblasts was investigated in vitro.

Results

Eight samples were analyzed using the Morpheus online tool, which identified 637 upregulated and 448 downregulated differentially expressed genes. The top 5 KEGG pathways of upregulated differentially expressed genes were associated with sphingolipid metabolism, estrogen signaling, ECM-receptor interaction, MAPK signaling, and PI3K-Akt signaling. The hub genes for DWs were JUN, ESR1, CD44, SMARCA4, MMP2, BMP4, GSK3B, WDR5, PTK2, and PTGS2. JUN, MMP2, and ESR1 were the upregulated hub genes, and ESR1 was found to be consistently enriched in DW patients. Inhibition of ESR1 had a stimulative role in human skin fibroblasts.

Conclusions

ESR1 was identified as a crucial gene in the development of DWs, which suggests potential therapeutic targets for DW healing.

Inhibition of exosomal miR-24-3p in diabetes restores angiogenesis and facilitates wound repair via targeting PIK3R3

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is one of the common ailments of elderly people suffering from diabetes. Exosomes containing various active regulators have been found to play a significant role in apoptosis, cell proliferation and other biological processes. However, the effect and the underlying mechanism of action of diabetes patients derived from circulating exosomes (Dia-Exos) on DFU remain unclear. Herein, we aim to explore the potential regulatory role of Dia-Exos. First, we attempted to demonstrate the harmful effect of Dia-Exos both in vivo and in vitro. miRNA-24-3p (miR-24-3p) was found enriched with Dia-Exos. Hence, inhibition of this miRNA could partially reverse the negative effect of Dia-Exos, thus, in ture, accelerates wound repair. Luciferase assay further verified the binding of miR-24-3p to the 3'-UTR of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase regulatory subunit gamma (PIK3R3) mRNA and the PIK3R3 expression enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cells functionality in vitro. Hence, the findings of this study reveal the regulatory role of Dia-Exos in the process of wound healing and provide experimental evidence for the therapeutic effects of knocking down miR-24-3p in DFU treatment.