Exosomal therapy—a new frontier in regenerative medicine

Abstract

The recent advances in translational and nanomedicine have paved the way for developing the targeted drug delivery system at a greater pace among global researchers. On par with these technologies, exosomes act as a potential portal for cell-free drug delivery systems as these are bestowed with the native characteristics of the parent cell of origin. Exosomes, called extracellular vesicles (EcVs), are present in almost all cells, tissues, and body fluids. They help in intercellular signaling and maintains tissue homeostasis in the disease pathobiology. Researchers have characterized 9,769 proteins, 2,838 miRNAs, 3,408 mRNAs, and 1,116 lipids being present in exosomal cargo. The separation of exosomes from cells, tissues, and body fluids follow different patterned kinetics. Exosomes interact with the recipient cells through their surface receptor molecules and ligands and internalize within recipient cells through micropinocytosis and phagocytosis. Advancing technologies in regenerative medicine have facilitated the researchers to isolate exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as these cells are blessed with supreme regenerative potentiality in targeting a disease. Exosomal cargo is a key player in establishing the diagnosis and executing therapeutic role whilst regulating a disease process. Various in vitro studies have exhibited the safety, efficacy, and therapeutic potentiality of exosomes in various cancers, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and orthopedic diseases. This article throws light on the composition, therapeutic role, and regulatory potentials of exosomes with the widening of the horizon in the field of regenerative medicine.

Immunomodulatory Actions of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (MSCs) in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

“…MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) are involved in tissue repair, immunomodulation, proliferation, anti-tumorigenic, and regeneration [114][115][116]. Based on biogenesis and size, EVs are classified into exosomes (30-150 nm endosome-derived plasma membrane-coated vesicles), microvesicles (100-1000 nm non-endocytic origin vesicles), and apoptotic bodies (1-5 µm vesicles released by apoptotic cells) [117].…”

Exosomes: Potential Disease Biomarkers and New Therapeutic Targets

“…As already mentioned, the therapeutic potential of exosomes in neurodegenerative diseases is enhanced by the fact that exosomes are able to cross the BBB. Therefore, exosomes may be a suitable tool for neurodegenerative disease therapy due to their ability to deliver nucleic acids and proteins to de CNS with specificity [277]. For example, it is known that enzymes that degrade Aβ peptide can be found in exosomes, among them are neprilysin and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE).…”

Translational products of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Bench to bedside applications

“…Adipose-derived MSCs secrete extracellular vesicles such as exosomes as a channel of communication with neighboring cells[ 73 ]. They act not only via direct cell-to-cell interaction but also via paracrine mechanisms[ 74 ] and are key mediators of signaling molecules such as TGF-β1[ 75 ], IL-10[ 76 ], PGE2[ 77 ], NO[ 78 ] and IDO[ 79 , 80 ]. The bioactive factors in-turn help to promote tissue regeneration and repair at the site of action.…”