Wound healing is a complex biological process essential for maintaining tissue integrity and function. However, it often presents significant challenges, including prolonged healing time, excessive scarring, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. These issues can lead to substantial physical and psychological burdens for patients, as well as increased healthcare costs. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles secreted by various cell types, have emerged as promising therapeutic agents in wound healing. While exosomes are produced by various organisms, including plants and animals, those derived from human cells have shown particular promise in therapeutic applications. Recent studies demonstrate that exosomes derived from Wharton jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) play a critical role in enhancing wound healing as they optimize fibroblast characteristics, facilitate cutaneous wound healing, and reduce scar formation. These “age zero” exosomes, derived from neonatal sources, possess several advantages over those from adult tissues. WJ-MSC exosomes improve keratinocyte migration and skin barrier formation while minimizing scar formation. Notably, WJ-MSC-derived exosomes have shown superior efficacy in promoting these processes compared to exosomes derived from adipose mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs). This enhanced effectiveness can be attributed to their higher abundance of wound-healing-related proteins such as fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) and their ability to optimize fibroblast characteristics more effectively than their adult counterparts.This case series aims to present three patients treated with WJ-MSC-derived exosome therapy for wound healing. Here, we highlight the remarkable improvements observed, including faster healing times, reduced post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and the absence of adverse effects, further demonstrating the potential of “age zero” exosomes in advancing wound healing therapies.

Sophia Levit is a graduate student in the Georgetown Biotechnology Program and an incoming medical student at SUNY Upstate Medical University. She earned her bachelor's in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience and a minor in Biology with a focus on Biochemistry from the University at Albany in just two and a half years. With experience in clinical research and basic science in dermatology, she aims to pursue dermatology and leverage her biotechnology education to bring innovative therapies to patients with a unique clinical perspective