Discovery of exosomal surface antigens for novel drug delivery systems

Abstract

Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicles （EVs） and have an in vivo molecular transport system. Nucleic acids and proteins （e.g., microRNAs, mRNAs） are encapsulated in the vesicle and secreted from cells, taken up by recipient cells, and then the cargo of exosomes are released intracellularly. Therefore, exosomes are highly expected as naturally occurring molecular carriers for drug delivery system （DDS）. We have recently developed a novel DDS “ExomiR-Tracker“ that can deliver anti-microRNA oligonucleotide to exosome-recipient cells associated with exosome by using arginized anti-exosome antibody. In this review, we introduce the characterization of exosomal surface antigens and summarize the technologies that utilize the proteins and lipids on the surface of exosome membranes.