Exosomal therapy—a new frontier in regenerative medicine

Abstract: The recent advances in translational and nanomedicine have paved the way for developing the
targeted drug delivery system at a greater pace among global researchers. On par with these technologies,
exosomes act as a potential portal for cell-free drug delivery systems as these are bestowed with the native
characteristics of the parent cell of origin. Exosomes, called extracellular vesicles (EcVs), are present in
almost all cells, tissues, and body fluids. They help in intercellular signaling and maintains tissue homeostasis
in the disease pathobiology. Researchers have characterized 9,769 proteins, 2,838 miRNAs, 3,408 mRNAs,
and 1,116 lipids being present in exosomal cargo. The separation of exosomes from cells, tissues, and
body fluids follow different patterned kinetics. Exosomes interact with the recipient cells through their
surface receptor molecules and ligands and internalize within recipient cells through micropinocytosis
and phagocytosis. Advancing technologies in regenerative medicine have facilitated the researchers to
isolate exosomes from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as these cells are blessed with supreme regenerative
potentiality in targeting a disease. Exosomal cargo is a key player in establishing the diagnosis and executing
therapeutic role whilst regulating a disease process. Various in vitro studies have exhibited the safety,
efficacy, and therapeutic potentiality of exosomes in various cancers, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, and
orthopedic diseases. This article throws light on the composition, therapeutic role, and regulatory potentials
of exosomes with the widening of the horizon in the field of regenerative medicine.