Exosomes and regenerative medicine: state of the art and perspectives

Transl Res. 2018 Jun:196:1-16. doi: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.01.005. Epub 2018 Jan 31.

Abstract

Exosomes have attracted the attention of the scientific community in recent years due to their widespread distribution, their possible functions as biomarkers of disease, and their great potential to be applied as therapeutic agents. Exosomes carry proteins and nucleic acids that can facilitate their uptake by distant target cells through endocytosis, such that exosomes could be targeted to a specific cell or cells to enhance or interfere with specific biological processes. This review will mainly focus on their roles in tissue repair and regenerative processes. Exosomal engineering and their potential applications in tissue regeneration are also reviewed here as an outlook for future research.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Exosomes / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney / physiology
  • Liver Regeneration
  • Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / physiopathology
  • Nerve Regeneration
  • Regeneration
  • Regenerative Medicine*
  • Tissue Engineering