An Adipose-Derived Stem Cell Exosome Sheet Promotes Oral Mucosal Wound Healing

Area of Science:

• Regenerative Medicine
• Biomaterials Science
• Oral Biology

Background:

• Oral mucosal wound healing remains poorly understood, with limited effective therapeutic options.
• Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) show potential in tissue repair, but their application in intraoral wounds requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of an adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC) exosome sheet in promoting intraoral wound healing in a rat model.
• To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of ADSC exosome-mediated wound repair.

Main Methods:

• An ADSC exosome sheet was applied to full-thickness mucosal hard palate wounds in rats, with a control group receiving only a dressing.
• Wound closure was monitored over 10 days, followed by immunohistochemical analysis of tissue samples.
• In vitro studies assessed the effect of ADSC exosomes on oral mucosal fibroblast migration speed.

Main Results:

• ADSC exosome treatment significantly accelerated wound closure and enhanced fibroblast migration compared to controls.
• The treatment promoted reepithelialization, proliferation, and neovascularization while reducing inflammation and increasing M2 macrophages.
• Key molecular pathways, including TGF-β/Smad and collagen I, were upregulated, while apoptosis markers were downregulated.

Conclusions:

• ADSC exosome sheets represent a novel and effective therapeutic strategy for accelerating intraoral wound healing.
• The pro-healing effects are mechanistically linked to the modulation of inflammatory responses and activation of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.
• This study provides a foundation for the clinical application of ADSC exosomes in mucosal wound management.