What Are Exosomes?
You’ve probably heard about the regenerative powers of stem cell therapy but there’s a “new” kid on the block. Research suggests that exosome therapy may work better for tissue repair, anti-aging treatments, immune support, hair loss, sexual health and fighting illnesses like lung diseases. What is an exosome, and what role do exosomes play in fighting aging and disease? Read on!
What Are Exosomes And What Is The Function Of Exosomes?
The definition of exosome and extracellular vesicles (EVs): Exosomes are extracellular vesicles, which are tiny fluid-filled sacs or nanoparticles that originate in many different types of cells in the body, including stem cells.
While stem cell therapy is generally known to provide regenerative benefits, recent research suggests that EVs, including exosomes, play a vital role.
Exosomes have been shown to carry cell-specific cargos — or exosomal cargos — of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids like RNAs, which can be selectively transferred to recipient cells in the body (located both near and far). Through a form of cell-to-cell communication, or intercellular communication, known as paracrine signaling, exosomes deliver tiny messages (biochemical signals) from cell to cell, which alter the behavior of the recipient cells.
By manufacturing and deploying exosomes, the cells are able to orchestrate the regeneration of tissue, help control inflammation, repair injuries and support regenerative therapies to treat certain diseases.
Is Exosome Therapy A Form Of Stem Cell Therapy?
Exosomes are derived from stem cells and essentially perform the same biological functions as stem cells do. However, evidence suggests that stems cells without extracellular vesicles like exosomes don’t provide any beneficial function. Exosomes may outperform stem cells due to:
- Their tiny size, which may allow for widespread distribution and absorption into spaces inaccessible by the cells themselves.
- Eliminating the downsides of direct stem cell transplantation, including low cell survival.
- Compensating for the low quality and quantity of available stem cells that is typical as we get older.
What is Exosome Therapy, And How Does it Work?
Exosome therapy is similar to platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, another type of regenerative therapy, in that it utilizes stem cells to restore healthy function to tissues compromised by aging, injury or disease. Both forms of therapy involve the injection of a product (exosomes or PRP) into damaged tissue, which helps enable cellular regeneration.
While PRP is derived from the patient’s own blood, the exosome product EVEXIAS uses contains exosomes isolated from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) — or stromal cells — in human donor perinatal tissue. The exosome product includes growth factors, hyaluronic acid and micro RNA, as well as cytokines and chemokines (two proteins that support cell signaling), which all work together to help heal and regenerate tissue.
Can Weekend Warriors Benefit From Exosome Therapy?
If you’ve experienced a mild to moderate musculoskeletal injury and pain after a “harmless” tag football game with friends or want to promote tissue repair after surgery, regenerative stem cell therapy with exosomes may be a good option for you.
Regenerative therapy injections have been shown to stimulate stem cells and growth factors in the body to create healthy, new tissue and repair old, damaged tissue. Exosomes also help regulate inflammation, which may help minimize pain associated with injury or surgery.
According to Guiot et al., exosomes have also been shown to have a long circulating half-life, the inherent ability to target tissues, biocompatibility (meaning they are not harmful to human tissue) and little or no inherent toxicity issues.
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