Exosome Loaded Protein\nHydrogel for Enhanced Gelation\nKinetics and Wound Healing

Abstract

Exosomes are being increasingly explored in biomedical\nresearch\nfor wound healing applications. Exosomes can improve blood circulation\nand endocrine signaling, resulting in enhanced cell regeneration.\nHowever, exosome treatments suffer from low retention and bioavailability\nof exosomes at the wound site. Hydrogels are a popular tool for drug\ndelivery due to their ability to encapsulate drugs in their network\nand allow for targeted release. Recently, hydrogels have proven to\nbe an effective method to provide increased rates of wound healing\nwhen combined with exosomes that can be applied noninvasively. We\nhave designed a series of single-domain protein-based hydrogels capable\nof physical cross-linking and upper critical solution temperature\n(UCST) behavior. Hydrogel variant Q5, previously designed with improved\nUCST behavior and a significantly enhanced gelation rate, is selected\nas a candidate for encapsulation release of exosomes dubbed Q5Exo.\nQ5Exo exhibits low critical gelation times and significant decreases\nin wound healing times in a diabetic mouse wound model showing promise\nas an exosome-based drug delivery tool and for future hybrid, noninvasive\nprotein-exosome design.