It is a widespread and difficult problem that refractory diabetic wounds have a poor local environment and prolonged inflammatory irritation. Tumor cell-derived exosomes play an important role in the development of tumors, as they can promote tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and enhance tumor cell activity. However, tumor tissue-derived exosomes (Ti-Exos) have been less studied, and it is unclear how they affect wound healing. In this study, we extracted Ti-Exos from human oral squamous carcinoma and paracancerous tissue by ultracentrifugation, size exclusion chromatography, and ultrafiltration and performed exosome characterization. In vitro, the oral squamous cell carcinoma tissue-derived exosomes (OSCC Ti-Exos) promoted the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts. In addition, in vivo experiments showed that the OSCC Ti-Exos accelerated the healing of diabetic wounds and were safe in mice. In contrast, there was no promoting effect of paracancerous tissue-derived exosomes either in vivo or in vitro. In conclusion, OSCC Ti-Exos promoted the healing of diabetic wounds, demonstrated preliminary biosafety in mice, and have promise as therapeutic applications.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Diabetic wound healing has become a public health issue that lacks effective treatment. We collected oral squamous cell carcinoma samples and paracancerous tissue and extracted Ti-Exos for verification. In vitro assays revealed that OSCC Ti-EVs could enhance the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts in diabetic cell model. In vivo assays also verified that OSCC Ti-Exos could promote diabetic wound healing, demonstrated preliminary biosafety in mice, and have promise as therapeutic applications.
Keywords: diabetes; tumor-derived exosomes; wound healing.