Poster #026
Exosome Crosstalk in Diabetic Corneal Wound Healing Impairment
Mentors: Daxian Zha, PhD; PI: Mehrnoosh Ghiam, PhD
Diabetes Mellitus (DM), affecting over 800 million people worldwide, can lead to diabetic keratopathy, characterized by epithelial fragility and impaired wound healing. The limbal niche, comprising limbal epithelial cells (LECs) and stromal cells (LSCs), regulates corneal maintenance through intercellular signaling, including Exosomes (Exos)-mediated communication. This study investigated the effects of Exos from diabetic (DM) and non-diabetes (N) LECs and LSCs on stem cell signaling and wound healing. LECs and LSCs were isolated from human corneal biopsies of DM and N donors, and Exos were isolated via differential ultracentrifugation. Wound healing was significantly enhanced in N-Exo- vs. DM-Exo-treated cells. Proteomics analysis revealed N-Exos promoted pathways related to proliferation, biosynthesis, and regeneration, while DM-Exos lacked these effects. These findings suggest that DM-Exos, altered by DM, impair corneal regeneration and differentially modulate recipient cell responses. Our study highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting exosomal communication to restore diabetic corneal function.