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PMID: 23584393 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

Extracellular vesicles: biology and emerging therapeutic opportunities.

Nature reviews. Drug discovery ·Vol. 12 ·No. 5 ·2013-05-00 ·Pages 347-57

EL Andaloussi S, Mäger I, Breakefield XO, Wood MJ

Abstract

Within the past decade, extracellular vesicles have emerged as important mediators of intercellular communication, being involved in the transmission of biological signals between cells in both prokaryotes and higher eukaryotes to regulate a diverse range of biological processes. In addition, pathophysiological roles for extracellular vesicles are beginning to be recognized in diseases including cancer, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative disorders, highlighting potential novel targets for therapeutic intervention. Moreover, both unmodified and engineered extracellular vesicles are likely to have applications in macromolecular drug delivery. Here, we review recent progress in understanding extracellular vesicle biology and the role of extracellular vesicles in disease, discuss emerging therapeutic opportunities and consider the associated challenges.

MeSH Terms
Cell Communication/drug effects,physiology Cell-Derived Microparticles Drug Delivery Systems Drug Therapy Exosomes Extracellular Space/drug effects,physiology Humans Translational Research, Biomedical
Authors & Affiliations
4 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
EL Andaloussi Samir
Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
Mäger Imre
Breakefield Xandra O
Wood Matthew J A
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Article Info
Journal
Nature reviews. Drug discovery
Abbr.
Nat Rev Drug Discov
ISSN
1474-1784
DOI
10.1038/nrd3978
Published
2013-05-00
Epub
2013-00-15
Pages
347-57
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
101124171
Subset
IM
Grants
Parkinson's UK · G-1109 · United Kingdom
Medical Research Council · G0900887 · United Kingdom
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/nrd3978 View journal details
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