Exosomes from Adipose Tissue Mesenchymal Stem Cells, a Preliminary Study for In Vitro and In Vivo Application

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), particularly their secreted exosomes, small microvesicles, represent a major focus in regenerative medicine due to their therapeutic potential. Exosomes exhibit growth factors and cytokines and are loaded with microRNAs (miRNA) and short interfering RNA (siRNA) that can be transferred to other cells, potentially affecting their function. Exosomes are crucial mediators of intercellular communication, are immunomodulatory, and are promoters of tissue regeneration. Despite their promise, the standardized methods for exosome isolation and characterization remain weak. This exploratory study addresses this gap by detailing an effective method for isolating exosomes from adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs), emphasizing precipitation as a technique yielding a high efficiency and purity compared to other methods. Functionally, we aimed to confirm the AT-MSC exosomes’ ability to exert an effective protective activity on the skin and its main components, such as fibroblasts, collagen, and elastin. To achieve this goal, we had to demonstrate that AT-MSC exosomes are safe and free of toxic substances. They can express specific proteins such as CD9, CD63, and CD81, which are well-known exosome markers. These exosomes also contain key miRNAs, including miRNA-203 A, miRNA-203 B, and miRNA-3196, important for skin regeneration, as well as enhancers of cell integrity and proliferation. We eventually confirmed the ability of exosomes to exert protective and recovery effects on fibroblasts after H2O2-induced damage in vitro, as well as on mouse skin after UVB-induced damage in vivo. These effects were verified by measuring levels of reactive oxidative species (ROS), assessing SA-β-Galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) activity, analyzing the cell cycle, evaluating the telomere length of fibroblasts by RT-PCR, and conducting histological assessments of collagen and elastin structure in murine skin after UVB exposure. This exploratory work provides valuable insights into the isolation, characterization, and bioactive and reparative properties of exosomes from AT-MSCs, supporting their development for future studies and therapeutic applications.