Immunomodulation effects of collagen hydrogel encapsulating extracellular vesicles derived from calcium silicate stimulated-adipose mesenchymal stem cells for diabetic healing

J Nanobiotechnology. 2025 Jan 27;23(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12951-025-03097-4.

Abstract

Diabetic wounds are characterized by chronic inflammation, reduced angiogenesis, and insufficient collagen deposition, leading to impaired healing. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSC) offer a promising cell-free therapeutic strategy, yet their efficacy and immunomodulation can be enhanced through bioactivation. In this study, we developed calcium silicate (CS)-stimulated ADSC-derived EVs (CSEV) incorporated into collagen hydrogels to create a sustained-release system for promoting diabetic wound healing. CSEV exhibited enhanced protein content, surface marker expression, and bioactive cargo enriched with pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory factors. In vitro, CSEV-loaded collagen significantly reduced reactive oxygen species production, promoted cell proliferation and migration compared to standard EV-loaded collagen. Cytokine profiling revealed the upregulation of anti-inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix components, highlighting their immunomodulatory and regenerative potential. In vivo, histological evaluation of diabetic rabbit models treated with CSEV-loaded collagen revealed superior reepithelialization and organized collagen deposition, indicating accelerated wound closure. These findings underscore the potential of CSEV-loaded collagen hydrogels as an innovative and effective therapeutic platform for enhancing diabetic wound healing by simultaneously addressing inflammation and tissue regeneration.

Keywords: Calcium silicate; Diabetic wound healing; Extracellular vesicles; Immunomodulation.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Animals
  • Calcium Compounds* / chemistry
  • Calcium Compounds* / pharmacology
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen* / chemistry
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Hydrogels* / chemistry
  • Hydrogels* / pharmacology
  • Immunomodulation* / drug effects
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells* / drug effects
  • Rabbits
  • Silicates* / chemistry
  • Silicates* / pharmacology
  • Wound Healing* / drug effects

Substances

  • Silicates
  • Hydrogels
  • Collagen
  • calcium silicate
  • Calcium Compounds
  • Cytokines