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Targeting Capabilities of Native and Bioengineered Extracellular Vesicles for Drug Delivery Frolova, Liubov; Li, Isaac T. S.

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are highly promising as drug delivery vehicles due to their nanoscale size, stability and biocompatibility. EVs possess natural targeting abilities and are known to traverse long distances to reach their target cells. This long-range organotropism and the ability to penetrate hard-to-reach tissues, including the brain, have sparked interest in using EVs for the targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals. In addition, EVs can be readily harvested from an individual’s biofluids, making them especially suitable for personalized medicine applications. However, the targeting abilities of unmodified EVs have proven to be insufficient for clinical applications. Multiple attempts have been made to bioengineer EVs to fine-tune their on-target binding. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the natural targeting abilities of native EVs. We also critically discuss the strategies to functionalize EV surfaces for superior long-distance targeting of specific tissues and cells. Finally, we review the challenges in achieving specific on-target binding of EV nanocarriers.

Item Metadata

Title
Targeting Capabilities of Native and Bioengineered Extracellular Vesicles for Drug Delivery
Creator
Frolova, Liubov; Li, Isaac T. S.
Publisher
Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Date Issued
2022-09-22
Description
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are highly promising as drug delivery vehicles due to their nanoscale size, stability and biocompatibility. EVs possess natural targeting abilities and are known to traverse long distances to reach their target cells. This long-range organotropism and the ability to penetrate hard-to-reach tissues, including the brain, have sparked interest in using EVs for the targeted delivery of pharmaceuticals. In addition, EVs can be readily harvested from an individual’s biofluids, making them especially suitable for personalized medicine applications. However, the targeting abilities of unmodified EVs have proven to be insufficient for clinical applications. Multiple attempts have been made to bioengineer EVs to fine-tune their on-target binding. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the natural targeting abilities of native EVs. We also critically discuss the strategies to functionalize EV surfaces for superior long-distance targeting of specific tissues and cells. Finally, we review the challenges in achieving specific on-target binding of EV nanocarriers.
Subject
extracellular vesicle; exosome; drug delivery; endocytosis; drug targeting
Genre
Article
Type
Text
Language
eng
Date Available
2024-12-11
Provider
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
Rights
CC BY 4.0
DOI
10.14288/1.0447460
URI
http://hdl.handle.net/2429/89852
Affiliation
Science, Irving K. Barber Faculty of (Okanagan); Chemistry, Department of (Okanagan)
Citation
Bioengineering 9 (10): 496 (2022)
Publisher DOI
10.3390/bioengineering9100496
Peer Review Status
Reviewed
Scholarly Level
Faculty
Rights URI
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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CC BY 4.0