The Use of Exosomes as Part of Regenerative Medicine
摘要
Exosomes are a subset of extracellular vehicles (EVs) that feature a double-layer lipid membrane structure [1]. In 1983, Harding et al. [2] and Pan et al. [3] discovered the release process of 50 nm vesicles into an extracellular environment in immature blood cells. In 1987, the vesicles were named “exosomes” by Rose Johnstone because of the endocytic pathway to release, following membrane fusion [4]. Exosomes can be secreted by almost all cells in both physiological and pathological conditions and are widely present in various body fluids such as blood, urine, breast milk, and saliva [5]. Initially, exosomes were considered cellular waste [4]. Researchers later recognized the biological and pathological functions of exosomes. They are natural carriers of functional DNA, RNAs, and proteins. Growing evidence has indicated that exosomes transport their contents to recipient cells, actively participating in cell communication, and may play diagnostic and therapeutic roles in some disorders.