Manufacturing exosomes for wound healing: Comparative analysis of culture media

PLoS One. 2024 Nov 14;19(11):e0313697. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0313697. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (EXs) have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for wound healing. However, the optimal conditions for manufacturing MSC-derived EXs that maximize their wound-healing potential have yet to be established. Hence, we compared the efficacy of five different MSC culture media, including three different serum-free, a platelet-supplemented, and a fetal bovine serum-supplemented media, in exosome manufacturing for wound healing applications. Although umbilical cord-derived MSCs (UCMSCs) cultured in these media exhibited similar proliferation, morphology, MSC surface marker expression, and stemness, EXs derived from UCMSCs cultured in different culture media displayed varying levels of growth factors and cytokines. Notably, EXs derived from platelet-supplemented media (DM-PLT_EXs) exhibited significantly higher concentrations of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 7 (IL-7), and interleukin 8 (IL-8) than EXs from other media. These differences correlated with the superior capability of DM-PLT_EXs to promote human skin fibroblast proliferation and stimulate angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, making them a more suitable choice for wound healing applications. Our findings emphasize the significance of the culture medium selection in tailoring the therapeutic potential of UCMSC-derived EXs for wound healing.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Cell Proliferation* / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Culture Media* / chemistry
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / pharmacology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / metabolism
  • Umbilical Cord / cytology
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Cytokines

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Vingroup Innovation Foundation under award number VINIF.2020.DA07 and the Vinmec project 22.68.SRI. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.