hypoxic NK cells-derived exosomes

Exosomes derived from natural killer (NK) cells cultured under hypoxic conditions are nanoscale extracellular vesicles that carry a range of bioactive molecules, including cytotoxic proteins (such as perforin, granzymes A and B, granulysin), death ligands (Fas ligand), and regulatory microRNAs. Hypoxia enhances both the production and antitumor activity of these exosomes. These vesicles can selectively target tumor cells—inducing apoptosis via caspase-dependent and independent pathways—while sparing normal healthy cells. Mechanistically, they deliver cytotoxic payloads that disrupt tumor cell membranes or trigger programmed cell death through mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways. Hypoxic preconditioning of NK cells is reported to further boost the yield and potency of their secreted exosomes for potential use in cancer immunotherapy[2][4][5].

Other names

hypoxia-induced NK cell exosomeshypoxic natural killer cell-derived extracellular vesicleshypoxic NK-EVs