3D mesenchymal stem cell exosome-functionalized hydrogels for corneal wound healing

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes can sustain immune homeostasis and facilitate tissue regeneration, and these effects can be potentiated under three-dimensional cell culture conditions. This study cultured MSCs in gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels to produce 3D-Exos and delivered them through GelMA hydrogels for sustained corneal wound repair. Compared with two-dimensional exosome hydrogel treatment, the 3D-Exo hydrogel better restored corneal morphology and function by mitigating inflammation, promoting corneal epithelium and limbus repair, and reducing stromal scarring through miR-150-5p targeting of PDCD4.