Part of Regenerative dermatology: stem cells, exosomes and PRP for the skin
Stem cells and exosomes in wound and burn healing
Chronic wounds and severe burns often heal slowly despite good care. Stem cell exosomes are being developed to speed healing, with encouraging laboratory and animal results.
Updated
Stem cells and the exosomes they release are being studied to help chronic wounds and severe burns heal faster and better. Current wound care, including cleaning the wound, controlling infection, dressings and skin grafts, often takes a long time and does not always succeed. Regenerative products aim to restart the healing process itself.
Why do some wounds not heal?
Chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, get stuck in a state of inflammation. Low oxygen, oxidative stress and poor blood supply stop the wound from moving on to building new tissue. Severe burns bring similar problems: prolonged inflammation, slow regrowth of the skin surface and a high risk of infection.
How could stem cells and exosomes help?
A 2024 review co-authored by Professor Nilforoushzadeh gathered preclinical and clinical studies of extracellular vesicles (exosomes) from mesenchymal stem cells in chronic wounds, particularly diabetic and burn wounds. It describes several ways they may act:
- raising oxygen levels and reducing oxidative damage in the wound;
- promoting new blood vessels;
- shifting immune cells (macrophages) from an inflammatory to a repair role;
- carrying engineered genetic material to the wound.
Using exosomes rather than cells avoids some of the practical barriers of cell therapy.
What did the burn study find?
A 2026 study, also co-authored by Professor Nilforoushzadeh, built a gelatin hydrogel dressing loaded with stem cell exosomes and curcumin nanoparticles. In laboratory tests it boosted the growth and movement of fibroblasts and the formation of blood vessels more than either ingredient alone. In rats with deep second-degree burns, wounds treated with the dressing closed significantly faster, with more collagen, less inflammation and better regrowth of skin and blood vessels than controls.
What is still missing?
This is mainly preclinical evidence. Animal results often do not carry over to people unchanged, and the 2024 review points to challenges in moving these treatments into routine care, including making consistent products. For now, wound and burn care rests on established treatment, and regenerative dressings are a research direction. The regenerative dermatology guide explains where they sit among other options, and exosomes for the skin covers their use in skin disease.
Questions
Are stem cell treatments available for diabetic foot ulcers?
Most stem cell and exosome treatments for wounds are still being tested. Established care, such as offloading, infection control, debridement and dressings, remains the basis of treatment.