The Therapeutic Potential of Exosomes in Soft Tissue Repair and Regeneration

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences Vol. 23; no. 7; p. 3869
• Main Authors: Wan, Rou, Hussain, Arif, Behfar, Atta, Moran, Steven L, Zhao, Chunfeng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 31.03.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Axonogenesis; Bone marrow; Cell proliferation; Cytokines; Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; Healing; Injuries; Lipids; Metabolites; Microscopy; Muscles; Myogenesis; peripheral nerve healing; Peripheral nerves; Proteins; Quality of Life; Recovery of function; Regeneration (physiology); Regenerative Medicine; Repair; repair and regeneration; Review; Scars; Schwann Cells; Signal processing; Skeletal muscle; skeletal muscle healing; soft tissue healing; Soft tissues; Stem cells; tendon healing; Tendons; Tissue engineering; Trauma; Tumors; soft tissue healing; extracellular vesicles; exosomes; peripheral nerve healing; therapeutic applications; skeletal muscle healing; tendon healing; repair and regeneration
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073869

Soft tissue defects are common following trauma and tumor extirpation. These injuries can result in poor functional recovery and lead to a diminished quality of life. The healing of skin and muscle is a complex process that, at present, leads to incomplete recovery and scarring. Regenerative medicine may offer the opportunity to improve the healing process and functional outcomes. Barriers to regenerative strategies have included cost, regulatory hurdles, and the need for cell-based therapies. In recent years, exosomes, or extracellular vesicles, have gained tremendous attention in the field of soft tissue repair and regeneration. These nanosized extracellular particles (30-140 nm) can break the cellular boundaries, as well as facilitate intracellular signal delivery in various regenerative physiologic and pathologic processes. Existing studies have established the potential of exosomes in regenerating tendons, skeletal muscles, and peripheral nerves through different mechanisms, including promoting myogenesis, increasing tenocyte differentiation and enhancing neurite outgrowth, and the proliferation of Schwann cells. These exosomes can be stored for immediate use in the operating room, and can be produced cost efficiently. In this article, we critically review the current advances of exosomes in soft tissue (tendons, skeletal muscles, and peripheral nerves) healing. Additionally, new directions for clinical applications in the future will be discussed.