Exosomes: a new approach in regenerative medicine

Exosome therapy has been described as a biotech breakthrough for skin and hair regeneration, and for an increasing number of diseases and injuries. It has gained cult status in South Korea, with its popularity spreading to the United States and Europe. Indeed, the number of applications for exosomes is constantly increasing, with an explosion of research exploring their unique functions as intercellular messengers.

Extrosomes are extracellular vesicles, often 1/1,000th the size of a real cell, or 30–150nm. They are rapidly released from many different types of cells throughout the body, with mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) reported to have the highest amounts of exosomes of any cell. Research published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy (April, 2023) found that compared to MSCs, MSC-derived exosomes possess lower immunogenicity, easy storage and highly effective biological activity.

The main function of exosomes is to carry critical cellular communication information from one cell to another, but they are not live cells themselves. They are involved in the carrying and spreading of proteins, lipids, messenger RNA (mRNA), microRNA (miRNA) and DNA. Once they are released into the extracellular space, exosomes can be taken up by other recipient cells and affect their functions.

Unlike stem cells, exosomes cannot replicate or transform because they themselves are not cells and, because the surfaces of exosomes do not contain any immune markers, they are unlikely to be rejected. Exosomes also have the ability to be used to stimulate a desired response in the body in a specific targeted area.

Exosomes for skin rejuvenation

In aesthetic medicine, studies have shown exosome therapy to assist directly with increasing skin elasticity and collagen, reducing wrinkles, pores, pigment, oiliness and improving evenness of skin and vascularity. This capacity to send “healing” signals from one cell to another can make exosomes a viable alternative to traditional platelet rich plasma and stem cell therapy.

Researchers at North Carolina State University conducted a proof-of-concept study that showed exosomes harvested from human skin cells were more effective in repairing sun-damaged skin cells than stem cell-based treatments.

Exomide™: cutting-edge exosomes from South Korea

Exomide™, distributed in Australia and New Zealand by local biotech company Xytide, is a world-class treatment harnessing the regenerative power of exosomes. Exomide™’s exosomes are made from human adipose tissue derived MSCs in FDA-registered labs, offering two exclusive products for skin rejuvenation and scalp and hair health.

According to Cosmedician, the South Korean manufacturers of Exomide™, exosome therapy can increase collagen in the treated areas up to six-fold and increase elastin levels by 300%.

With its promising results and clinical potential, exosome therapy is undoubtedly an exciting new development in the field of anti-ageing medicine.