Exosomes – tiny biological nanoparticles which transfer information between cells – offer significant potential in detecting and treating disease, the most comprehensive overview so far of research in the field has concluded.
Areas which could benefit include cancer treatment and regenerative medicine, say Dr Steven Conlan from Swansea University, Dr Mauro Ferrari of Houston Methodist Research Institute in Texas, and Dr Inês Mendes Pinto from the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Portugal. Their commissioned paper, Exosomes as Reconfigurable Therapeutic Systems, is published today by Cell Press in Trends in Molecular Medicine.
Exosomes are particles produced by all cells in the body and are from 30-130 nanometres in size – a nanometre is one-billionth of a metre. They act as biological signalling systems, communicating between cells, carrying proteins, lipids, DNA and RNA. They drive biological processes, from modulating gene expression to transmitting information through breast milk.
Though discovered in 1983, the full potential of exosomes is only gradually being revealed. The researchers show that the nanoparticles’ possible medical benefits fall into three broad categories:
- Detecting disease – by acting as disease-specific biomarkers
- Activating immune responses to boost immunity
- Treating diseases – serving as the vehicle for drugs, for example bearing cancer therapies as their payload, to target tumours
One of the most useful properties of exosomes is that they are able to cross barriers such as the plasma membrane of cells, or the blood/brain barrier. This makes them well-suited to delivering therapeutic molecules in a very targeted way.
The potential benefits of exosomes can be seen in the wide range of research projects – cited in the paper – already either completed or under way, in areas such as:
- Improved testing for prostate cancer
- A small-cell lung cancer trial
- Stem cell-derived exosomes strengthening heart muscles
- Regeneration of muscle and tissue
- Parkinson’s
- Diabetes
The team caution that there is more to do before research into exosomes translates into new techniques and treatments. Side-effects need to be considered, and a standardised approach to isolating, characterising and storing exosomes will need to be developed.
Researchers will also need to ensure that the properties of exosomes do not end up causing harm: for example they can transfer drug resistance and pacify the immune system.
Nevertheless, the potential is very clear, with the team describing exosomes as “increasingly promising”.
Professor Steve Conlan of Swansea University Medical School, one of the authors of the paper, said:
“Our survey of research into exosomes shows clearly that they offer enormous potential as a basis for detecting and treating disease.
Further studies are necessary to turn this research into clinical outcomes, but researchers and funders should be very encouraged by our findings. Our own research in Swansea is investigating the use of exosomes and exosome-like synthetic nanoparticles in combatting ovarian and endometrial cancer.
Progress in this field depends on partnership. As the authorship of our own paper illustrates, researchers in different countries are increasingly working together in nanohealth. Swansea University has wider links with Houston and Portuguese based researchers in the field.
It’s also important to build partnerships outside academia, in particular with government and companies in this fast-growing sector.”
Learn more:Tiny nanoparticles offer significant potential in detecting and treating disease – new review
The Latest on: Exosomes
[google_news title=”” keyword=”exosomes” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
- Skincare Hack for Tackling Dark Circles Without Spending a Penny Goes Viralon March 28, 2024 at 11:05 am
In the video, McNamara demonstrates the test, using her index fingers to gently pinch the skin together, as she explains: "When I lift it up the pigment goes. If that's also you, your dark circles are ...
- 15 Best Beauty Stocks To Invest Inon March 28, 2024 at 11:00 am
In this piece, we will take a look at the 15 best beauty stocks to invest in. If you want to skip our overview of the global beauty industry, then you can take a look at the 5 Best Beauty Stocks To ...
- Aesthetic Management Partners Announces Partnership with Croma-pharma To Distribute Plant-Based Exosome Technology to Europeon March 28, 2024 at 3:08 am
Aesthetic Management Partners LLC, a manufacturer of skin-based solutions and a provider of energy-based devices announces its collaboration with Croma (Croma-Pharma® GmbH), a global player in the ...
- Liver fibrosis, non-parenchymal cells and the promise of exosome therapyon March 27, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Liver disease is a major health concern, causing millions of deaths worldwide each year. One serious complication is liver fibrosis, scarring that can lead to liver failure. There is currently no ...
- Specialist shares 3 beauty trends that will improve skincare routineon March 24, 2024 at 9:07 am
Shay Moinuddin, Aesthetic Nurse Specialist, and Clinic Director at The Few Institute in Chicago, shares three trends that will keep skin radiant and feeling rejuvenated.
- Exosomes: A breakthrough in skin regenerationon March 23, 2024 at 8:46 am
Many in the scientific and medical community consider these small vesicles the future of regenerative medicine ...
- ‘RHOM’ star Dr. Nicole Martin stopped using cosmetic fillers after ‘bad’ experience: ‘It looked so unnatural’on March 22, 2024 at 12:29 pm
I personally just didn’t like the way I looked with fillers,” the Exoceuticals skincare co-founder tells Page Six Style, though she still identifies as a “Botox ...
- Exosomes Market Projected Surge To USD 2,707.8 Million By 2032, With A Steady 34.2% CAGRon March 21, 2024 at 4:17 am
According to Market.us, the Global Exosomes Market is projected to undergo significant expansion, with its valuation anticipated to ascend from USD 206.4 million in 2023 to approximately USD 2707.8 ...
- Nasal Therapy That Could Help People With Spinal Injuries Walk Againon March 20, 2024 at 7:26 am
Medication administered through the nose hopes to be a life-changer for people suffering acute spinal cord injuries even helping them to walk again.
- Are Exosomes Set to Change the Beauty Industry as We Know It?on March 12, 2024 at 2:01 am
We don't know which way "exosomes" will go in the long term, but given the buzziness of regenerative medicine and its influence on skin care, plus the fact that we've already seen them featured in a ...
via Google News and Bing News