WHAT ARE EXOSOMES?
Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles (EVs) that are secreted from many cells throughout the body including mesenchymal stem cells. The messenger RNA, micro-RNA, lipids, and proteins found in exosomes have been shown to stimulate numerous pathways upon cell uptake. The effect that these exosomes have depend on the cell and micro-environment that it originated from, leading to a variety of use cases in medicine. In regenerative medicine, exosomes are being evaluated and used for their involvement with wound and tissue healing and its anti-inflammatory effects.
HOW DO EXOSOMES WORK?
Exosomes can facilitate cell to cell communication by transporting its biologic cargo and producing a paracrine effect. These secretory effects can induce various reactions including those involved with providing anti-inflammation and tissue regeneration. Oftentimes, these exosomes are found in very high concentration in medium’s that are used with cell therapies including blood, bone marrow, and Wharton’s jelly umbilical cord graft.
BENEFITS OF EXOSOMES
Exosomes are a non-surgical treatment option that can naturally provide anti-inflammatory effects long term. It can reduce pain and swelling and can assist with improved function. By reducing inflammation and harmful bioactive molecules, exosomes can improve the body’s natural healing reactions and decrease the degradation of cartilage, ligaments, and tendons thus providing disease-modifying effects and contribute to tissue repair and integrity.
WHO IS A CANDIDATE FOR EXOSOMES?
Ideal candidates for exosome treatments are individuals seeking a non-surgical solution for pain relief and tissue healing. These include people with chronic joint pain, arthritis, chondromalacia (cartilage damage), meniscus tears, labral tears, ligament sprains and tears, and tendinosis and tendon partial tears. Exosomes may be helpful in situations where traditional treatments such as rest, medications, chiropractic care, acupuncture, and physical therapy have not helped. Candidates may be seeking an alternative to surgery. A formal consultation with Dr. Yoon will be needed to determine if this treatment is appropriate.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH EXOSOME TREATMENT?
The consultation with Dr. Yoon will consist of a thorough evaluation and discussion. Dr. Yoon’s office will also provide a pre and post treatment guideline handout if treatment is pursued. Most treatments require abstaining from the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) one week before and two weeks after the procedure to allow the treatments to naturally work. Because many treatment protocols are tailored to the specific needs of the patient, expectations post treatment will be carefully explained beforehand. Necessary prescriptions for orthotics and other braces, biomechanics evaluations, physical therapy prescriptions, specific location and provider referrals, and other needs will be provided. Continuous patient follow-up will occur at specific timepoints to optimize treatment results.
WHY CHOOSE DR. STEVE YOON M.D. FOR EXOSOME TREATMENT?
Dr. Steve Yoon is a highly regarded biologics expert utilizing exosome treatments in professional sports making him a top choice for exosome therapy for patients in Los Angeles and around the country. He has extensive experience utilizing exosomes while in his role as Director of Clinical Regenerative Medicine at the Cedars Sinai Kerlan Jobe Institute and as a treating consultant for the vast majority of professional sports teams and sports agencies throughout the country. Dr. Yoon has successfully treated patients over two decades while specializing in the use of exosomes and other regenerative therapies to enhance recovery and performance. His personalized and tailored approach with patients and helping them with their quality of life has earned him numerous honors including being recognized annually in Los Angeles as a Super Doctor as well as a Top Doctor nationally by Castle Connolly.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
Fan WJ, Zhao Y, Zhang L, et al. Exosomes in osteoarthritis: updated insights on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and therapy. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2022;23(1):951. doi:10.1186/s12891-022-05951-1
Wellings EP, Huang TCT, Li J, Peterson TE, Hooke AW, Rosenbaum A, Zhao CD, Behfar A, Moran SL, Houdek MT. Intrinsic tendon regeneration after application of a purified exosome product: an in vivo study. Orthop J Sports Med. 2021;9(12). doi:10.1177/23259671211062929.
Ng CY, Dong Y, Zhao J, et al. Potential of exosomes as cell-free therapy in articular cartilage injury and osteoarthritis. Int J Nanomedicine. 2021;16:8807-8828. doi:10.2147/IJN.S327059
Zou M, Wang J, Shao Z. Therapeutic potential of exosomes in tendon and tendon–bone healing: a systematic review of preclinical studies. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2023;34(6):299-316. doi:10.3390/jfb14060299
Liu X, Yang X, et al. Therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a promising cell-free therapy for knee osteoarthritis. Front Mol Biosci. 2024;11:1268019. doi:10.3389/fmolb.2024.1268019