LGALS3BP has been demonstrated to enhance cell adhesion through integrin-mediated interactions (specifically α5β1). Follistatin-related protein 1 (FSTL1), which was enriched 99 times in the CE-EVs, is known to play a role in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration in both physiological and pathological processes. However, the exact and direct role of this protein in corneal wound healing is not well understood. FSTL1 is a glycoprotein that belongs to the family of secreted proteins acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC). SPARC also called osteonectin (ON) was enhanced 59 times in CE-EVs compared to CE-cells (Figure ). SPARC has been demonstrated to inhibit epithelial cell proliferation by binding to TGF-β receptors. It has also been demonstrated that SPARC is strongly expressed during the middle and later stages of corneal wound healing to facilitate remodeling and that SPARC increases the wound closure rate. Another protein that regulates TGF- signaling is CD109. In contrast to TSP-1, CD109 has an antagonistic effect on TGF- signaling and inhibits extracellular matrix deposition by binding to TGF-. CD109 was enhanced 97 times in the CE-EVs compared to CE-cells (Figure ), suggesting the need for a counter-balance of TGF- signaling to avoid excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Transforming growth factor beta induced protein (TGFBIp) was enhanced 67 times in CE-EVs compared to CE-cells (Figure ) and it is known to be highly abundant in the cornea and highly expressed by epithelial cells. TGFBIp has been demonstrated to be upregulated in case of corneal damage in rabbits and some studies suggest that TGFBIp promotes corneal wound healing by increased cell migration, adhesion, and proliferation. CD166 (enriched 49 times in CE-EVs compared to CE-cells) (Figure ), also known as activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), is known to be a marker for corneal stromal stem cells and is involved in ocular regeneration. Immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 1 (IGHG1), which is enriched 43 times in the EVs (Figure ), is part of the immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) antibody. Several other components for immunoglobulins (such as IgG2, IgG3, IgA1, and IgA2) were found exclusively in CE-EVs suggesting that the adaptive immune system is of importance for wound healing. IgG1 (and IgG3) have also been shown to activate the complement system which plays an important role in wound healing. Some of the surface markers detected in the FACS analysis could be confirmed with the proteomics data; CD63, CD81, and CD142 (Tissue factor) are found exclusively in CE-EVs (Table ), whereas the CD146/MUC18 (enriched 2.8 times) and CD44 (enriched 4.8 times) were found both in CE-EVs and CE-cells but enriched in CE-EVs (Table ). On the other hand, HLA-ABC is slightly altered in the CE-EVs compared to CE-cells (ratio 0.42 for HLA-A and C and 0.84 for HLA-B, Table ). Moreover, the components for the fibronectin receptor (51) were also present and slightly enriched in the CE-EVs (~ 2 times) (Table ). Integrin 1 is known to be important during corneal wound healing for promoting the cellular attachment of migrating cells to the provisional matrix. Additionally, several other integrins such as α3, β6, αv, and α6 were identified in the proteomics data (Table ). Integrin α3 (CD49C) (enhanced 1.34 times, Table ) together with integrin 1 (CD29) (enhanced 1.8 times, Table ) constitutes the integrin α3β1 which is a receptor for both laminin, fibronectin, collagen, and TSP-1. Furthermore, the integrins αv and β6, which were both found in the CE-EV sample (Table ), together make a receptor that can also bind fibronectin. The integrin αvβ6 is exclusively found on epithelial cells and previous studies have shown the importance of the integrin αvβ6 receptor for corneal wound healing by its activation of TGF-. Additionally, several subunits of laminin were found, some of which are exclusively present in CE-EVs (Table ), and together can constitute laminin 411 and laminin 511; the latter is known to be important at the initial stage of corneal epithelial regeneration. Similarly, several subunits of collagen type I, V, and VI were found exclusively in CE-EVs (Table ). Collagen VI has been shown to promote adhesion and spreading of corneal fibroblasts in chicks and in rabbits, it is increased during corneal wound healing and is suggested to be important for the formation of the corneal lamellar structure. Calnexin was also detected in the proteomics data; however, its ratio in CE-EVs compared to CE-Cells was 0.029. This significant reduction in CE-EVs is consistent with the Western blot results (Table ).