Abstract
Exosomes are cell-derived nanovesicles (30 ～ 150 nm in diameter) that are increasingly attracting attention due to their favorable properties as a platform of next–generation drug delivery systems including high compatibility, low toxicity, and permeability of blood–brain barriers. While natural exosomes inherently exert their biological functions by delivering various molecules such as mRNAs, miRNAs, proteins, and lipids, it is also possible to endow exosomes with custom–tailored useful functions by rational engineering. In this review, I introduce state–of–art engineering strategies of exosomes by genetic modifications of exosome producer cells and also discuss the potential of the engineered “designer exosomes” for future therapeutic applications.
