M2-Macrophage-Derived Extracellular Vesicles-Functionalized Acellular Dermal Matrix as a New-Generation Immunoregulatory and Angio-Inductive Construct for Skin Tissue Engineering


Yazicioglu S., Arslan T. S., ERDOĞAN Y. K., ERCAN B., ARSLAN Y. E., DERKUŞ B.

Macromolecular Bioscience, vol.26, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/mabi.202500500
  • Journal Name: Macromolecular Bioscience
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, Compendex, EMBASE, INSPEC, MEDLINE
  • Keywords: decellularization, extracellular matrix, extracellular vesicles, macrophage, skin tissue engineering
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles, e.g., exosomes, derived from anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages have emerged as potent mediators of tissue regeneration through their ability to modulate cellular behavior, immune responses, and angiogenesis. In this study, we developed a composite bioactive scaffold by integrating M2 macrophage-derived EVs (M2-EVs) into decellularized skin extracellular matrix (dSECM), and systematically evaluated its structural, biochemical, and regenerative properties. Bovine dermis was decellularized using chemical, enzymatic, and physical steps, yielding collagen-rich, DNA-depleted ECM matrices with preserved collagen content and tunable stiffness (15–40 kPa). M2-EVs were isolated from IL-10-polarized RAW264.7 macrophages and characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS, mean diameter ∼151 nm), and Western blotting for CD81/CD63/TSG101/Calnexin expressions. Functional assays revealed that M2-EVs enhanced the proliferation and migration of human dermal fibroblasts and keratinocytes, with 100 µg/mL achieving >90% wound closure at 48 h. When combined with dSECM, M2-EVs further increased the expression of immunoregulatory genes such as TGF-β (∼2.9-fold) and IL-10 (∼3.8-fold), consistent with the scaffold's capacity to enhance anti-inflammatory signaling. In the chick CAM model, dSECM/M2-EVs significantly enhanced vascularization along with increased collagen deposition and vascular smooth muscle cell recruitment. These results highlight M2-EVs as emerging biological effectors when incorporated into ECM-based scaffolds for vascularized tissue repair.