Colostrum-Derived Exosomal Lactoferrin Promotes Skin Fibroblast Regeneration by Suppressing Inflammatory Responses

  • Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jul 15;47(7):549. doi: 10.3390/cimb47070549.
Chu-Hsun Cheng  1 Wei-Jer Hong  2 Chien-Nien Li  2 Yung-Hsueh Huang  3 Jeng-Haw Tsai  4 Chih-Yuan Huang  5  6 Jen-Chin Wu  7 Chan-Yen Kuo  8 Wen-Chun Kuo  1
Affiliations
  • 1. Bio-METS Biotech Consulting Co., Ltd., New Taipei City 23544, Taiwan.
  • 2. JFM Dermatology Clinic, Taipei 104, Taiwan.
  • 3. 20 SKIN Clinic, Taichung City 404, Taiwan.
  • 4. Beauty Humanity Clinic, New Taipei City 234, Taiwan.
  • 5. Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taichung Branch, Taichung City 427213, Taiwan.
  • 6. Mclinic Clinic, Taichung City 408, Taiwan.
  • 7. Wu Jenchin Dermatology Clinic, Pingtung City 813755, Taiwan.
  • 8. Institute of Oral Medicine and Materials, College of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
Abstract

lactoferrin (LF), a multifunctional glycoprotein found abundantly in bovine colostrum, is known for its regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, we investigated the wound healing and immunomodulatory effects of colostrum-derived exosome-encapsulated lactoferrin (EV-exoLF) on dermal fibroblasts. EV-exoLF was isolated and characterized via nanoparticle tracking analysis and flow cytometry. Functional assays demonstrated that EV-exoLF significantly promoted fibroblast viability and migration in both mouse NIH/3T3 and human HS-68 cell lines. Furthermore, EV-exoLF reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and IL-6) and phosphorylated JNK in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated fibroblasts. These findings suggest that EV-exoLF not only enhances fibroblast-mediated wound closure but also mitigates inflammation, highlighting its therapeutic potential in skin regeneration. Colostrum-derived exosomal lactoferrin may serve as a promising natural, cell-free strategy for managing inflammatory skin conditions and improving wound healing outcomes.

Keywords
colostrum; cytokines; exosomes; fibroblasts; inflammation; lactoferrin; skin regeneration; wound healing.
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