Chitosan hydrogel loaded with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes promotes healing of chronic diabetic wounds in rats.
10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2025.10.04
- Author:
Xiaohui QIU
1
;
Meng WANG
2
;
Jiangjie TANG
3
;
Jianda ZHOU
4
;
Chen JIN
5
Author Information
1. Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China.
2. School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China.
3. Department of Stomatology, Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410017, China.
4. Department of Plastic Surgery, Xiangya Third Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410017, China.
5. Department of Neurosurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
angiogenesis;
chitosan;
diabetic wound;
exosomes;
hydrogel;
mesenchymal stem cells
- MeSH:
Animals;
Wound Healing;
Humans;
Chitosan;
Exosomes;
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology*;
Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental;
Rats;
Umbilical Cord/cytology*;
Hydrogels;
Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells;
Cell Proliferation;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Male
- From:
Journal of Southern Medical University
2025;45(10):2082-2091
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES:To investigate the mechanism by which chitosan (CS) hydrogel loaded with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (HUVECs)-derived exosomes (hUCMSC-exos) (Exos@CS-Gel) improves diabetic wound healing.
METHODS:hUCMSC-exos were extracted and Exos@CS-Gel was prepared. The effect of Exos@CS-Gel on proliferation and migration of HUVECs were evaluated using scratch wound assay and CCK-8 assay. Diabetic rat models with full-thickness skin wounds established by streptozotocin induction were randomized divided into 4 groups for treatment with Exos@CS-Gel (100 µg hUCMSC-exos dissolved in 100 µL 24% CS hydrogel), hUCMSC-exos (100 µg hUCMSC-exos dissolved in 100 µL PBS), CS hydrogel (100 µL 24% CS hydrogel), or PBS (control group). Wound healing and the therapeutic mechanisms were assessed using immunohistochemistry, HE staining, immunofluorescence, and qRT-PCR.
RESULTS:In cultured HUVECs, Exos@CS-Gel treatment significantly promoted cell proliferation and migration. In the rat models of chronic diabetic wounds, the wound healing rate in Exos@CS-Gel group reached 92.7% on day 14, significantly higher than those in hUCMSC-exos group (9.12%), CS hydrogel group (16.28%), and control group (25.98%). Microvessel density and the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β-1 were significantly increased in the Exos@CS-Gel group.
CONCLUSIONS:Exos@CS-Gel promotes survival capacity of hUCMSC-exos in vitro and accelerates diabetic wound healing in rats by promoting angiogenesis and cell proliferation.
