Reprogramming Exosomes as Nanoscale Controllers of Cellular Immunity

J Am Chem Soc. 2018 Dec 5;140(48):16413-16417. doi: 10.1021/jacs.8b10047. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Abstract

Exosomes are naturally occurring membranous vesicles secreted by various types of cells. Given their unique and important biological and pharmacological properties, exosomes have been emerging as a promising form of nanomedicine acting via efficient delivery of endogenous and exogenous therapeutics. Here we explore a new concept of utilizing endogenously derived exosomes as artificial controllers of cellular immunity to redirect and activate cytotoxic T cells toward cancer cells for killing. This was achieved through genetically displaying two distinct types of antibodies on exosomal surface. The resulting synthetic multivalent antibodies retargeted exosomes (SMART-Exos), which express monoclonal antibodies specific for T-cell CD3 and cancer cell-associated epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), were shown to not only induce cross-linking of T cells and EGFR-expressing breast cancer cells but also elicit potent antitumor immunity both in vitro and in vivo. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates a novel application of exosomes in cancer immunotherapy and may provide a general and versatile approach for the development of a new class of cell-free therapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / genetics
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / immunology
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological / therapeutic use*
  • CD3 Complex / immunology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • ErbB Receptors / immunology
  • Exosomes / immunology*
  • Female
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Cellular / immunology*
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Proof of Concept Study
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / genetics
  • Single-Chain Antibodies / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / immunology
  • Triple Negative Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Immunological
  • CD3 Complex
  • Single-Chain Antibodies
  • ErbB Receptors