Cell-Derived Nanovesicles as Exosome-Mimetics for Drug Delivery Purposes: Uses and Recommendations

Methods Mol Biol. 2021:2211:147-170. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0943-9_11.

Abstract

Cell-derived Drug Delivery Systems (DDSs), particularly exosomes, have grown in popularity and have been increasingly explored as novel DDSs, due to their intrinsic targeting capabilities. However, clinical translation of exosomes is impeded by the tedious isolation procedures and poor yield. Cell-derived nanovesicles (CDNs) have recently been produced and proposed as exosome-mimetics. Various methods for producing exosome-mimetics have been developed. In this chapter, we present a simple, efficient, and cost-effective CDNs production method that uses common laboratory equipment (microcentrifuge) and spin cups. Through a series of extrusion and size exclusion steps, CDNs are produced from in vitro cell culture and are found to highly resemble the endogenous exosomes. Thus, we envision that this strategy holds great potential as a viable alternative to exosomes in the development of ideal DDS.

Keywords: Biomimicry; Drug delivery systems; Exosome-mimetics; Exosomes; Intrinsic targeting.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Biomimetics* / methods
  • Cell Fractionation / methods
  • Cell Line
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles* / metabolism
  • Cell-Derived Microparticles* / ultrastructure
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemical Phenomena
  • Chromatography, Gel
  • Drug Delivery Systems* / methods
  • Exosomes* / metabolism
  • Exosomes* / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Nanoparticles* / metabolism
  • Nanoparticles* / ultrastructure
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations / chemistry
  • Transport Vesicles* / metabolism
  • Transport Vesicles* / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations