REVIEW   Free access

Minerva Medica 2021 June;112(3):384-400

DOI: 10.23736/S0026-4806.20.07205-5

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Stem cell-derived exosomes for wound healing: current status and promising directions

Ngoc B. VU ^{1, 2}, Hoa T. NGUYEN ^{1, 2}, Rosanna PALUMBO ³, Rinaldo PELLICANO ⁴, Sharmila FAGOONEE ⁵, Phuc V. PHAM ^{1, 2, 6} ✉

¹ Stem Cell Institute, University of Science, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; ² Vietnam National University - Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam; ³ Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (CNR), Naples, Italy; ⁴ Unit of Gastroenterology, Molinette Hospital, Turin, Italy; ⁵ Institute of Biostructure and Bioimaging (CNR), Molecular Biotechnology Center, Turin, Italy; ⁶ Laboratory of Stem Cell Research and Application, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Wound healing, especially of chronic wounds, is still an unmet therapeutic area since assessment and management are extremely complicated. Although many efforts have been made to treat wounds, all strategies have achieved limited results for chronic wounds. Stem cell-based therapy is considered a promising approach for complex wounds such as those occurring in diabetics. Mesenchymal stem cell transplantation significantly improves wound closure, angiogenesis and wound healing. However, cell therapy is complex, expensive and time-consuming. Recent studies have shown that stem cell-derived exosomes can be an exciting approach to treat wounds. Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells can induce benefit in almost all stages of wound healing, including control of immune responses, inhibition of inflammation, promoting cell proliferation and angiogenesis, while reducing scar formation during the wound healing process. This review aimed at offering an updated overview of the use of exosomes in biological applications, such as wound healing, and addresses not only current applications but also new directions for this next-generation approach in wound healing.

KEY WORDS: Exosomes; Mesenchymal stem cells; Stem cells; Wound healing