Generation, purification and engineering of extracellular vesicles and their biomedical applications

Methods. 2020 May 1:177:114-125. doi: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2019.11.012. Epub 2019 Nov 30.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), derived from cell membranes, demonstrate the potential to be excellent therapeutics and drug carriers. Although EVs are promising, the process to develop high-quality and scalable EVs for their translation is demanding. Within this research, we analyzed the production of EVs, their purification and their post-bioengineering, and we also discussed the biomedical applications of EVs. We focus on the developments of methods in producing EVs including biological, physical, and chemical approaches. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges and the opportunities that arose when we translated EVs in clinic. With the advancements in nanotechnology and immunology, genetically engineering EVs is a new frontier in developing new therapeutics in order to tailor to individuals and different disease stages in treatments of cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Keywords: Biomimetic vesicles; Exosomes; Extracellular vesicles; Microvesicles; Nitrogen cavitation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bioengineering / methods
  • Bioreactors
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient
  • Drug Compounding / methods*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Extracellular Vesicles / chemistry
  • Extracellular Vesicles / metabolism*
  • Extracellular Vesicles / transplantation
  • Helicobacter Infections / metabolism
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter Infections / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Inflammation
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / metabolism
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / pathology
  • Neurodegenerative Diseases / therapy*
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Sonication / methods
  • Translational Research, Biomedical / trends