Extracellular vesicles from human adipose-derived stem cell spheroids: Characterization and therapeutic implications in diabetic wound healing

Abstract

The management of diabetic wounds presents a considerable challenge within the realm of clinical practice. Cellular-derived nanoparticles, or extracellular vesicles (EV), generated by human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) have been investigated as promising candidates for the treatment of diabetic wounds. Nevertheless, limitations on the yield, as well as the qualitative angiogenic properties of the EV produced, have been a persistent issue. In this study, a novel approach involving the use of various cell culture morphologies, such as cell spheroids, on hASC was used to promote both EV yield and qualitative angiogenic properties for clinical use, with an emphasis on the in vivo angiogenic properties exhibited by the EV. Moreover, an increase in the secretion of the EV was confirmed after cell spheroid culture. Furthermore, microRNA(miRNA) analysis of the produced EVs indicated an increase in the presence of wound healing-associated miRNAs on the cell spheroid EV. Analysis of the effectiveness of the treated EVs in vitro indicated a significant promotion of the biological function of fibroblast and endothelial cells, cell migration, and cell proliferation post-cell spheroid EV application. Meanwhile, in vivo experiments on diabetic rats indicated a significant increase in collagen production, re-epithelization, and angiogenesis of the diabetic wound after EV administration. In this investigation, we posit that the use of cell spheroids for the culture of hASC represents a novel approach to enhance the substantial secretion of extracellular vesicles while increasing the angiogenic wound healing properties. This innovation holds promise for augmenting the therapeutic potential of EVs in diabetic wound healing, aligning with the exigencies of clinical applications for these nanoparticles.