• Combination therapy by using hydrogel and mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes for diabetic wound healing
  • Alireza Ghasempour,1 Hamideh Dehghan,2 Fahimeh Lavi Arab,3,*
    1. Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
    2. Student Research Committee, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
    3. Immunology Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran


  • Introduction: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that can be secreted from various cells (e.g., mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)). They transport nucleic acids, proteins, and other bioactive substances, which impact wound healing. Their short life span and low stability have created some challenges for their use. Hydrogels are attractive biomaterials fabricated using various synthetic or natural polymers. Because of their remarkable biochemical and mechanical properties, they demonstrate good potential for exosome delivery as wound dressings.
  • Methods: We assessed the studies related to hydrogel containing MSC-derived exosomes for diabetic wound healing by searching different databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
  • Results: Investigations showed that the use of hydrogels with different compositions has positive effects on the function of exosomes. In fact, these hydrogel structures can increase MSC-derived exosome stability and life span. Also, these hydrogel structures can release the MSC-derived exosomes in a slow and controlled manner. Eventually, hydrogels like MSC-derived exosomes can accelerate the healing of diabetic wounds with anti-inflammatory effects, formation of new vessels, and increase granulation tissue and collagen density. Additionally, increasing the polarization of macrophages to the M2 phenotype was another positive effect of this combined therapy. In general, these combined treatments accelerated diabetic wound closure and healing.
  • Conclusion: Studies have shown that the combined use of hydrogel and MSC-derived exosomes has good potential for treating diabetic wounds and can be a smart dressing. However, further studies are recommended to investigate the physical and chemical properties of these hydrogels and the biological properties of MSC-derived exosomes for diabetic wound healing.
  • Keywords: Exosome, mesenchymal stem cell, hydrogel, diabetic wound healing