Convalescent serum-derived exosomes: Attractive niche as COVID-19 diagnostic tool and vehicle for mRNA delivery

Abstract

The spread of SARS-CoV-2 over the entire world is more commonly known as COVID-19. COVID-19 has impacted society in every aspect of routine life. SARS-CoV-2 infection is often misdiagnosed as influenza or seasonal upper respiratory tract viral infections. General diagnostic tools can detect the viral antigen or isotypes of antibodies. However, inter- and intraindividual variations in antibody levels can cause false negatives in antibody immunoassays. On the contrary, the false-positive test results can also occur due to either cross-reactivity of the viral antigens or some other patient-related autoimmune factors. There is need for a cogent diagnostic tool with more specificity, selectivity, and reliability. Here, we have described the potential of convalescent serum-derived exosome as a diagnostic tool for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, even in asymptomatic patients, which is a limitation for currently practiced diagnostic tests throughout the globe. In addition, its potential as a vehicle for messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery is also emphasized.

mRNA-Based Vaccine for COVID-19: They Are New but Not Unknown!

“…The vaccines developed by Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech have been the only mRNA-based vaccines to obtain emergency approval from key regulators, and real-world evidence from the global COVID-19 launch would be critical in vindicating their long-term effectiveness and safety features against the coronavirus and some other viral agents. Exosome-based mRNA delivery will also be the future of mRNA-based therapeutics [ 117 , 118 ]. Mostly with implications of mRNA-based technology becoming apparent as these first-generation vaccines begin to be deployed globally, there is currently a boom in mRNA clinical research for infectious diseases, and industry researchers anticipate an increase in interest in mRNA platforms for other therapeutic fields, especially oncology, but even uncommon autoimmune conditions and neurodegenes.…”

Recent review of COVID-19 management: diagnosis, treatment and vaccination

“…It sparks the condition of health, age, including acceleration in innovation, collaboration, discovery, catalyzing future health and medicine, thereby reimaging health and medicine. It has opened a broad area of research in the field of medical technology including computational biology, gene sequencing, design, and delivery of antibodies and drugs [ 14 , 36 ].…”

“…Reliable and rapid tests are needed to affirm infections. Currently, diagnostic approaches include clinical chest CT scanning including chest X-rays and laboratory diagnoses (Nucleic acid RT-PCR, RT-LAMP, qRT-PCR), protein testing, point of care testing, and fluorescence-based biosensors tests are used to confirm COVID-19 [ 36 , 37 ]. X-rays are one of the common techniques for imaging cardiothoracic and pulmonary disorders [ 38 ].…”

Co-Infection Associated with SARS-CoV-2 and Their Management

“…Imatinib, an oral anticancer drug also inhibits viral replication in the host cell by binding that drug molecule with RBD of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein [ 197 ] is widely used to control a variety of solid tumors and renal cell carcinoma, and it is currently being utilized to treat severe or acute COVID-19 pneumonia patients [ 197 ]. However, it is important to mention that SARS-CoV-2 transmission has been linked to two instances of full recovery of conventional Hodgkin lymphoma and follicular lymphoma [ 61 , 209 , 210 ].…”