Extracellular particles (ECPs) are particles that are present in biological fluids outside of cells and can include a variety of different molecules and structures, such as proteins, lipids, and DNA. They can also include larger structures such as microvesicles, exosomes, and apoptotic bodies. ECPs can originate from different cell types and can have a wide range of biological functions.
In skin treatments, ECPs are being researched for their potential in promoting wound healing and treating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. One area of research has focused on the use of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a treatment for skin conditions. MSC-derived exosomes are thought to have anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties, and have been shown to promote wound healing and skin rejuvenation in preclinical studies.
In hair treatments, ECPs are being researched for their potential to promote hair growth. For example, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy is already behind used as a treatment that utilizes growth factors derived from platelets in a patient's own blood to promote hair growth. ECPs derived from MSCs are a new avenue for hair treatments that have the potential to provide more growth factors and molecules than PRP alone.
In recent years, there has been increasing interest in ECPs as they may have important implications in a variety of diseases and physiological processes, such as cancer, inflammation, and immune response.