Recipient cells and tissues via exosome uptake and cargo delivery

Recipient cells and tissues via exosome uptake and cargo delivery refers to the physiological mechanism of intercellular communication mediated by small extracellular vesicles (30–150 nm) known as exosomes (Kalluri & LeBleu, 2020, Science). These vesicles are secreted by donor cells and carry a cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (mRNA, miRNA) that are internalized by recipient cells through pathways such as endocytosis, macropinocytosis, or direct membrane fusion (Gurung et al., 2021, Journal of Cellular Physiology). Once internalized, the cargo is released into the cytoplasm, where it can modulate the recipient cell's biological activity, such as gene expression or signal transduction. This process plays a critical role in both health, such as immune response coordination, and disease, such as tumor-driven remodeling of the microenvironment and metastasis (Worth et al., 2021, Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology). In the pharmaceutical industry, this mechanism is being harnessed to develop exosome-based delivery systems for therapeutic payloads like siRNA or antisense oligonucleotides, aiming for high specificity and low immunogenicity (Wiklander et al., 2019, Science Translational Medicine). Prominent examples include engineered exosomes designed to target specific tissues or deliver immune-modulating agents like STING agonists or IL-12. However, as a target entry, this name describes a physiological delivery route or biological process rather than a discrete molecular target like a receptor or enzyme. Challenges in this field include ensuring precise targeting to recipient tissues and overcoming rapid clearance by the mononuclear phagocyte system.

Other names

Exosome-mediated deliveryExtracellular vesicle (EV) uptakeParacrine signaling via exosomesExosomal cargo transfer

Delivery of therapeutic cargo (nucleic acids, proteins, or small molecules) to specific recipient cells via the natural endocytic or fusion pathways of extracellular vesicles.