Good things come in small packages: Overcoming challenges to harness extracellular vesicles for therapeutic delivery

Dominique Ingato; Jong Uk Lee; Sang Jun Sim; Young Jik Kwon

doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.016

Good things come in small packages: Overcoming challenges to harness extracellular vesicles for therapeutic delivery

J Control Release. 2016 Nov 10:241:174-185. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.016. Epub 2016 Sep 22.

Authors

Dominique Ingato¹, Jong Uk Lee², Sang Jun Sim³, Young Jik Kwon⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States.
² Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
³ Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁴ Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States; Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, United States. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 27667180
DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2016.09.016

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) hold great promise as potential therapeutic carriers. EVs are biologically active, intrinsically transporting cargo between cells. Moreover, they can be loaded with specific cargo for distribution and/or engineered to achieve enhanced uptake. Although studies have already demonstrated therapeutic delivery using EVs, various challenges must be overcome before EV technology is ready for the clinic. Since the properties of EVs are dependent upon their cell of origin and the conditions of their formation, establishing clear characterization practices is essential to ensuring reproducibility and safety. Identifying methods for mass production of EVs is crucial for achieving high EV yields necessary for clinical trials. This review introduces current theory behind EV formation and function, describes the latest methods for characterization and mass production, and discusses future opportunities for extracellular vesicles in therapeutic delivery.

Keywords: Exosomes; Extracellular vesicles; Microvesicles; Therapeutic delivery.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
Extracellular Vesicles / chemistry*
Extracellular Vesicles / physiology*
Gene Transfer Techniques*
Humans
Particle Size
Pharmaceutical Preparations / administration & dosage*
Surface Properties

Substances

Pharmaceutical Preparations