Associate Research Fellow/ Associate Professor China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University,Taiwan Taichung, Taiwan (Republic of China)
Abstract: Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by progressive cartilage degradation and a disrupted joint microenvironment, necessitating innovative therapeutic strategies. While human stem cell-derived exosomes offer promising regenerative potential as disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), their clinical application is hindered by rapid clearance and insufficient retention within the joint. To address these limitations, we developed an exosome-embedded adhesive injectable hydrogel (Exo-aiGel), designed to enhance exosome localization and therapeutic efficacy. This biomimetic hydrogel, formulated using natural biocompatible components, was administered intra-articularly and demonstrated superior outcomes, including the reversal of OA pathology, improved cartilage regeneration, and enhanced recruitment of joint-resident MSCs. Compared with hyaluronic acid or exosome-HA solutions, Exo-aiGel significantly amplified therapeutic effects by restoring the joint microenvironment and supporting sustained tissue repair. These findings highlight the transformative potential of Exo-aiGel as a durable and clinically applicable treatment, offering a novel approach to rejuvenating cartilage and mitigating OA progression.
Funding Source: This work was supported by the National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan (Reference No. 111-2320-B-039-070-MY3) and China Medical University Hospital (EXO-113-004, DMR-113-106, DMR-114-092) to CW Lee
