Programming assembly of biomimetic exosomes: An emerging theranostic nanomedicine platform

Exosomes have emerged as a promising cell-free therapeutic approach. However, challenges in large-scale production, quality control, and heterogeneity must be overcome before they can be used clinically. Biomimetic exosomes containing key components of natural exosomes have been assembled through extrusion, artificial synthesis, and liposome fusion to address these limitations. These exosome-mimetics (EMs) possess similar morphology and function but provide higher yields, faster large-scale production, and similar size compared to conventional exosomes. This article provides an overview of the chemical and biological properties of various synthetic exosome systems, including nanovesicles (NVs), EMs, and hybrid exosomes. We highlight recent advances in the production and applications of nanobiotechnology and discuss the advantages, limitations, and potential clinical applications of programming assembly of exosome mimetics.

Automated summary

Exosomes, as a cell-free therapeutic approach, hold great promise. However, before clinical use, challenges in large-scale production, quality control, and heterogeneity need to be addressed. Biomimetic exosomes, called exosome-mimetics (EMs), have been created through various methods, such as extrusion, artificial synthesis, and liposome fusion, to overcome these limitations. EMs possess similar morphology and function to natural exosomes, but offer higher yields, faster large-scale production, and similar size. This article provides an overview of the chemical and biological properties of synthetic exosome systems, highlighting recent advances in production and applications, and discussing advantages, limitations, and potential clinical applications of EMs.