Diabetes, a widespread condition affecting approximately 13% of American adults, is often accompanied by complications such as impaired wound healing. If left unchecked, this can lead to severe outcomes, including the need for amputation.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Helical wheel diagram of the pentameric coiled-coil with a cartoon ribbon diagram of Q5 for reference. One helical wheel of Q5 is highlighted with corresponding helical wheel positions matching the location of residues in order (inside to outside) beginning with a partial heptad (VKE) starting at the e helical wheel position. Credit: ACS Applied Bio Materials (2024). DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00569 The challenge of finding effective treatments for diabetic wounds has grown increasingly urgent. Such wounds are marked by prolonged inflammation, lack of oxygen, and disrupted blood vessel formation, which all contribute to delayed recovery. However, a new frontier in biomedical research is pointing toward exosomes as a potential solution. A team from NYU Langone and NYU Tandon including Jin Kim Montclare has begun to explore exosomes, tiny membrane-bound vesicles, as promising tools for healing. These nanovesicles carry various biological materials—nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids—allowing them to mediate intercellular communication and influence processes such as tissue repair. The findings are published in the journal ACS Applied Bio Materials. Specifically, exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including those from adipose tissue, have demonstrated significant potential in promoting wound healing in animal models. Their therapeutic effects appear to stem from their ability to reduce inflammation and promote a…