Evaluation of the Effect of Exosomes From Adipose Derived Stem Cells on Changes in GSH/ROS Levels During Skin Photoaging

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2025 Jan;41(1):e70009. doi: 10.1111/phpp.70009.

Abstract

Objective: Exosomes (Exos) from adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) can delay skin photoaging, but their effects on reactive oxygen species (ROS) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between adipose derived stem cell exosomes (ADSCs-Exos) in anti-photoaging of skin and glutathione (GSH)/ ROS expression in human fibroblasts.

Methods: A skin photoaging model was established by irradiating human fibroblasts with ultraviolet B (UVB) light in vitro. Next, exosomes from ADSCs were isolated for treating the photoaged fibroblasts. Afterwards, the alterations in photoaged fibroblasts were analyzed by a series of assays including senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal) staining, p16 expression, ROS staining, and GSH content.

Results: After a human fibroblast photoaging model was subjected to ADSCs-Exos treatment, we found that the high concentration exosome group had the highest GSH content. Cellular staining showed that levels of SA-β-Gal, p16, and ROS of the high concentration-treated group were lower than other groups.

Conclusions: ADSCs-Exos can protect skin fibroblasts from photoaging via increasing the ratio of GSH/ROS.

Keywords: ADSCs; GSH; ROS; exosomes; photoaging.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts* / metabolism
  • Glutathione* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Reactive Oxygen Species* / metabolism
  • Skin Aging*
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Ultraviolet Rays*

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Glutathione
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16