Extracellular Stem Cell Vesicles in Skin Repair.

Since their discovery in 1961 by Till and McCulloch, stem cells (MSCs) have been of great interest in the scientific community. Since then, and over the years, continuous research in this field has achieved different discoveries from the ability of MSCs to differentiate into different cell types to different applications within regenerative medicine. One of the discoveries that expanded the range of options for the use of MSCs was the understanding of the mechanism of action of cells. MSC-based therapies exert their functions by paracrine route and not by a direct replacement of old or dead cells.

The paracrine pathway refers to a cellular signaling process that allows the communication of the cell with cells near or far. This interaction is due to the secretion of signaling molecules capable of inducing some response in nearby cells. MSCs can generate a secretome, a complex mix of factors that are released by cells into the extracellular space and aid in paracrine communication. The secretome of MSCs is composed of lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and the main objects of study, the vesicles extracellular (EV).

The EVs from MSCs have been shown to have the ability to help in wound healing processes, skin regeneration, angiogenesis, scar reduction and signs of skin aging. Thanks to Understanding the mechanism of action of MSCs and the signaling power of their by-products is currently being explored in strategies of various treatments for the care and regeneration of the skin under a paradigm of “therapy cell-free cell.”

EVs can be divided into three classes of vesicles, thus classified by their size and content: ectosomes, exosomes and apoptotic bodies. Ectosomes are 50 to 500 nm in size. Apoptotic bodies have a size between 50 to 5000 nm and contain residual dead cell material. Finally, exosomes have a size between 50 to 150 nm. Exosomes, being the vesicles of greatest interest, contain large amounts of proteins such as annexins, tetraspanins (CD63, CD81 and CD9), heat shock (Hsp60, Hsp70 and Hsp90), cytokines, growth and transcription factors, microRNAs, mRNAs and DNAs. Exosomes because they are encapsulated by a layer of lipids, in addition to their nanometric size, they can move long distances and delve into a great diversity of fabrics. In addition to the aforementioned characteristics, EVs derived from MSC, they reproduce the properties of the MSCs from which they are derived, therefore, they are anti-inflammatory, regeneration of tissues, cell reprogrammers, and modulate the immune response.

Given the promising capabilities of the EVs and exosomes. The medium has been used conditioned, as well as extracellular vesicles or purified exosomes, in precursor treatments of the regeneration of the skin and the reduction of the signs of aging. It has been proven that the use of the Conditioned medium and exosomes have positive effects on the appearance of the skin, reducing skin wrinkles aged. In addition to stimulating the production of collagens and elastins, which stimulate the permeability of the skin and are key in preventing dehydration of the skin, influencing the preservation of firmness and elasticity of the skin, to avoid or reduce damage caused by age and UV light damage.

Bibliographic references:

  • Ferreira, A. da F., & Gomes, D. A. (2018). Stem Cell Extracellular Vesicles in Skin Repair. Bioengineering, 6(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering6010004
  • Lee, H. J., Lee, E. G., Kang, S., Sung, J.-H., Chung, H.-M., & Kim, D. H. (2014). Efficacy of Microneedling Plus Human Stem Cell Conditioned Medium for Skin Rejuvenation: A Randomized, Controlled, Blinded Split-Face Study. Annals of Dermatology, 26(5), 584. https://doi.org/10.5021/ad.2014.26.5.584

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