Conductive Scaffolds As Exosome Carrier for Regeneration: State of the Art and Perspectives Publisher



Samani AB ; Semyari M ; Ahmadi P ; Khalilzadeh Z ; Nazeri N
Source: Regenerative Engineering and Translational Medicine Published:2025

Abstract

Abstract: Promoting complete regeneration of damaged electroconductive tissues is one of the remaining challenges in tissue engineering. Thus, designing multitask scaffolds that can provide electrical cues, controlled release, promote angiogenesis, and reduce inflammation is an urgent need for efficient treatment. Conductive scaffolds are capable of carrying electric current to improve cell attachment and differentiation, but need other compartments to support them by providing building blocks. In recent years, exosomes have attracted the attention of specialists in tissue regeneration because they can carry proteins, lipids, and genetic material, which can be transferred to other cells to promote healing and tissue repair. They play a crucial role in intercellular communication and can modulate the immune response, reduce inflammation, and stimulate the body's natural repair mechanisms. In this regard, tissue engineering combines exosomes with electroconductive scaffolds to maximize the therapeutic advantages of electrical stimulation. This review describes tissue behavior in response to electroconductive composite scaffolds and highlights exosome roles in tissue regenerative processes, aiming to trigger more theoretical and experimental work to address the challenges and prospects of these new composite scaffolds in medical sciences. Lay summary: This review explores the potential of electroconductive scaffolds to become the next generation of exosome carriers in tissue engineering. Conductive scaffolds, designed to substitute or mimic the native extracellular matrix with various instruments for electrical signal transmission, are of extreme promise in electrically active tissue regeneration, such as that of the heart and nervous system. Exosomes, being natural extracellular vesicles, are essential for cell-to-cell communication by transferring bioactive molecules, such as proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, to target cells. Incorporation of exosomes into conductive scaffolds improves their therapeutic application by inducing angiogenesis, minimizing fibrosis, and enhancing functional recovery in injured tissues. This synergistic approach has also been particularly efficacious in cardiac repair subsequent to myocardial infarction and peripheral nerve regeneration, for which electrical as well asand biochemical signals are equally required for recovery of functionality. Despite these developments, several challenges to the translation into clinical applications are present. Costs of synthesis of electroconductive exosome-loaded scaffolds, variations between exosome extraction, and a lack of regulated protocols are some of the bottlenecks hindering the extensive utilizations. Besides, most research has been preclinical, conducted in animal models, and no clinical trials have assessed the safety and effectiveness of these biomaterials in humans. Subsequent research will have to devise scaffold composition optimization, improve exosome delivery efficacy, and conduct large-scale clinical trials for proof of their therapeutic use. Overcoming such hurdles will be key to bringing electroconductive exosome-based scaffolds into widespread regenerative medicine and providing effective treatments for severely injured patients. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.