Abstract

Developing Technologies for Single Vesicle Isolation and for Regenerative Medicine

Danilo Tagle, Associate Director for Special Initiatives, National Institutes of Health

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid membranous vesicles released from almost all cell types, and they provide a tremendous opportunity as sources of novel biomarkers from liquid biopsies, as well as agents for tissue repair and wound healing in regenerative medicine. EVs carry complex molecular cargoes, such as proteins, RNAs [e.g., mRNA and noncoding RNAs (microRNA, transfer RNA, circular RNA and long noncoding RNA)], and DNA fragments; these cargoes are delivered to recipient cells and serve as a cell-to-cell communication system. The molecular contents of EVs largely reflect the cell of origin and thus show cell-type specificity. Exosomes are endogenous nanoparticles that constitute a fraction of extracellular vesicles that are secreted by all cell types into the extracellular environment, and play an important role in intercellular signalling.  Exosomes are being utilized in a variety of biomedical applications, including targeted drug delivery, gene therapy, diagnosis, and tissue regeneration. Despite significant efforts made in this relatively new field of research, progress has been held back by challenges such as inefficient separation methods, difficulties in characterization, and lack of specific biomarkers. This presentation will elaborate on the NIH support for exosome isolation, as well as its potential use in regenerative medicine.