Functional significance of exosomes applied in sepsis: A novel approach to therapy

The nanoparticles referred as exosomes play an active role in intercellular communication. Their potential positive therapeutic effect in bacterial inflammation and sepsis has been the subject of several studies that have examined the feasibility of exosomes as drug-delivery vehicles. The underlying mechanism of interest involves the selective transport of cellular cargo. Most attention has been focused on the exosome-mediated transport of microRNA and protein. Thus, exosomes are expected to be an important tool in the treatment of inflammatory disease. This review covers the relevant literature, focusing on the relationship between exosomes and sepsis and therapeutic use of exosomes in bacterially mediated inflammation or sepsis. We evaluate exosomes as drug vehicles, including their therapeutic cargo, potential mechanisms of action, choice of donor cells, and routes of administration. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.