HucMSC-Ex Regulates Autophagy to Enhance the Function of Dermal Fibroblasts in a High-Glucose Environment
MIAO Xu1, LI Linli2, QIAN Hui1*, XU Wenrong1*, SHI Hui1*
The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of hucMSC-Ex (human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome) on DFs (dermal fibroblasts) in a high-glucose damage model and to explore the role of autophagy in the repair of DFU (diabetic foot ulcer). A comprehensive identification of hucMSC and hucMSC-Ex was conducted using various methods, including morphological analysis, particle size measurement, and surface marker characterization. Additionally, surface markers of primary DFs were identified through Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses. The assessment of apoptosis, inflammatory factor expression, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, and mitochondrial function in DFs under high-glucose damage conditions separately were performed using flow cytometry, qRT-PCR, ROS detection, and measurement of mitochondrial membrane potential. To further investigate the role of autophagy in DFU repair, the expression of LC3BII/I in DFU patient tissues was examined through immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques. Differences in the expression of autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by extracting tissue proteins. Moreover, hucMSC-Ex was administered to DFs after treatment with autophagy inducers and inhibitors to observe their proliferation and migration capabilities. The research results suggest that hucMSC-Ex may enhance the function of DFs under high glucose damage by modulating the autophagic response, thereby promoting the repair of DFU.
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