Research Progress of Exosomes as Vehicles in the Therapy of Central Nervous System Diseases

CHEN Deyi¹, SU Gang², LIU Jifei¹, WU Qionghui¹, CHEN Wei¹, ZHANG Zhenchang^1*

(¹Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, China; ²Institute of Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China)

Abstract:

Central nervous system diseases include cerebrovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and brain tumors. The BBB (blood-brain barrier) hinders the delivery of most drugs treated and prevented central nervous system diseases to the brain through the blood circulatory system. Exosome plays important roles in intercellular substance transport and signal communication. Due to its small volume, high delivery efficiency, low immunogenicity, and good biocompatibility, it can enter brain endothelial cells through normal endocytosis and transcytosis, and then transport contents across the BBB. In order to improve the targeting of exosomes, engineering their membranes and producing vesicles with targeting ability are essential research directions for exosomes as vesicles in the future. This article reviews the biological characteristics, engineered modifications of exosomes and their research as vehicles in the therapy of central nervous system diseases.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2021.08.0012