Constructing EGF mRNA-Enriched Extracellular Vesicles Based on the AAVS1 Safe Harbor Site to Promote Skin Wound Healing

June 2026 in “ Advanced Healthcare Materials ”

Peifen Gao, Wanyun Feng, Xian Zhao, Jiuheng Shen, X Wang, Xue Wu, Wantong Zhou, Yinan Wang, Junge Chen, Wenlin An

EGF mRNA extracellular vesicles AAVS1 safe harbor site CRISPR/Cas9 293F cells fibroblast proliferation collagen production angiogenesis hair follicle regeneration epidermal remodeling epidermal growth factor EVs gene editing wound healing

TLDR Engineered vesicles with EGF mRNA improve skin wound healing and reduce scarring.

This study explores the use of extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched with EGF mRNA to enhance skin wound healing. By integrating the EGF gene into the AAVS1 safe harbor site of 293F cells using CRISPR/Cas9, researchers created a cell line that secretes EVs capable of protecting EGF from degradation. These engineered EVs (293F-EGF-EV) were shown to significantly promote fibroblast proliferation and migration, inhibit excessive collagen production, and improve wound recovery in a rat skin defect model. High concentrations of 293F-EGF-EV were associated with improved angiogenesis, hair follicle regeneration, and epidermal remodeling, while low concentrations reduced scar area, suggesting potential for tailored wound treatment strategies.