![]() A major limitation for successful translation remains the difficulty to precisely target the cell type or organ of interest whilst limiting off-target biodistribution. Production of engineered exosomes is an active research field, which fosters assessment of various therapeutic cargoes, enhancement of target selectivity and optimisation of manufacturing. Their small size and membrane composition allow them to cross major biological membranes including the blood brain barrier. Reduced immunogenicity due to their biocompatibility and a bi-layered lipid structure, which protects the genetic cargo from degradation, makes them attractive as therapeutic vectors. Įxosomes have generated considerable interest for clinical application as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic cargo carriers. They influence a broad range of physiological processes such as immune responses, tissue repair, stem cell maintenance, central nervous system (CNS) communication and pathological processes in cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, cancer and inflammation. They are now known to play significant roles in cellular communication by transferring functional proteins, metabolites and nucleic acids to recipient cells. Exosomes are a subset of EVs that were initially identified as a cellular mechanism to excrete unwanted cellular products. Unravelling exosome physiology is key to their ultimate progression towards clinical applications.Įxtracellular vesicles (EVs) are released by all cells, prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and regulate intercellular communication in health and disease. We also delineate the most common identified pitfalls affecting exosome research and development. We highlight the main controversies in the field of exosome research: their adequate definition, characterisation and biogenesis at plasma membrane. We delineate the major pathways and molecular players that influence each step of exosome physiology, highlighting the routes of interest, which will be of benefit to exosome manipulation and engineering. Here we summarise the most up-to-date knowkedge about the complex biological journey of exosomes from biogenesis and secretion, transport and uptake to their intracellular signalling. An in-depth understanding of exosome biology is therefore essential to ensure clinical development of exosome based investigational therapeutic products. Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by all cell types playing intercellular communication roles in health and disease by transferring cellular cargoes such as functional proteins, metabolites and nucleic acids to recipient cells. The use of exosomes in clinical settings is progressively becoming a reality, as clinical trials testing exosomes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications are generating remarkable interest from the scientific community and investors. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |