Hypoxic adipose-derived stem cell exosomes as carriers of miR-100-5p to enhance angiogenesis and suppress inflammation in diabetic foot ulcers

Abstract

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe diabetes complication characterized by impaired angiogenesis and chronic inflammation, leading to delayed wound healing. Exosomes (Exo) derived from hypoxic adipose-derived stem cells (H-ADSCs-Exo) show potential as therapeutic carriers. This study investigates the role of H-ADSCs-Exo carrying miR-100-5p in DFU healing. ADSCs were isolated, characterized, and their Exo analyzed via transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blot. Transcriptome sequencing identified miR-100-5p as a key modulator of angiogenesis and inflammation. In vitro, H-ADSCs-Exo enhanced human umbilical vein endothelial cell and fibroblast proliferation, migration, and tube formation. In a rat DFU model, H-ADSCs-Exo administration reduced ulcer size, increased angiogenesis (VEGF/CD31 expression), and decreased inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6). miR-100-5p overexpression further amplified these effects, demonstrating its critical role in Exo-mediated healing. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of H-ADSCs-Exo in DFU treatment, offering insights into cell signaling mechanisms and paving the way for miRNA-based regenerative therapies.