Exo-U2

Exo-U2 is an engineered exosome-based therapeutic delivery system consisting of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes functionalized with the glioblastoma (GBM)-targeting aptamer U2. It is designed to specifically target and penetrate the blood-brain barrier to reach GBM cells. Mechanistically, Exo-U2 binds to and inhibits the autophosphorylation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor variant III (EGFRvIII). This inhibition triggers the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis pathway, characterized by increased expression of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) and caspase-1, which collectively suppress tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, Exo-U2 has been shown to enhance the sensitivity of GBM to radiotherapy and chemotherapy (when loaded with doxorubicin) by inhibiting the expression of 53BP1 and reducing the phosphorylation of the ATM/Chk2 DNA damage repair pathway.

Other names

U2-functionalized exosomesU-2-functionalized exosomesU 2-functionalized exosomesMSC-derived exosomes functionalized with aptamer U2