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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
09:59
Preparation of Exosomes for siRNA Delivery to Cancer Cells
Published on: December 5, 2018
Exosomes: Fit to deliver small RNA
Anoek Zomer1, Tineke Vendrig, Erik S Hopmans
1Department of Pathology; Cancer Center Amsterdam; VU University Medical Center; Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Communicative & Integrative Biology
|November 9, 2010
Summary
Exosomes, tiny vesicles, transfer functional microRNAs (miRNAs) between cells, including from infected to healthy cells. This intercellular RNA transfer plays a role in gene regulation and cell communication.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Exosomes are nano-sized vesicles involved in intercellular communication.
- Distinguishing exosomes from microvesicles remains challenging.
- Exosomes are increasingly recognized for their role in transporting RNA molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the RNA cargo of exosomes, specifically focusing on microRNAs (miRNAs).
- To demonstrate the transfer of functional miRNAs via exosomes between cells.
- To explore the physiological relevance of exosome-mediated intercellular RNA transfer.
Main Methods:
- Purification and analysis of exosome RNA content.
- Co-culture systems to study exosome secretion and transfer.
- Detection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-encoded miRNAs in recipient cells and peripheral blood.
Main Results:
- Purified exosomes primarily contain functional small RNAs, including miRNAs, with minimal mRNA.
- Exosomes secreted by EBV-infected cells deliver functional EBV-miRNAs to uninfected cells.
- EBV-miRNAs are detectable in peripheral blood cells (monocytes, T cells) of patients, indicating intercellular transfer in vivo.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes are specialized carriers of small regulatory RNAs, particularly miRNAs.
- Intercellular transfer of miRNAs via exosomes is a significant mode of gene regulation.
- Exosome-mediated miRNA communication may be crucial in immune responses and tumor microenvironments.
Related Concept Videos
01:36Overview of Exosomes
Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
02:30siRNA - Small Interfering RNAs
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
02:43Nucleic Acids
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
02:43Nucleic acids
Nucleic acids are the most important macromolecules for the continuity of life. They carry the cell's genetic blueprint and carry instructions for its functioning.
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
DNA and RNA
The two main types of nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). DNA is the genetic material in all living organisms, ranging from single-celled bacteria to multicellular mammals. It is in the nucleus of eukaryotes and in the organelles, chloroplasts, and mitochondria. In prokaryotes, the...
02:30Small interfering RNAs (siRNA)
Small interfering RNAs, or siRNAs, are short regulatory RNA molecules that can silence genes post-transcriptionally, as well as the transcriptional level in some cases. siRNAs are important for protecting cells against viral infections and silencing transposable genetic elements.
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
In the cytoplasm, siRNA is processed from a double-stranded RNA, which comes from either endogenous DNA transcription or exogenous sources like a virus. This double-stranded RNA is then cleaved by the ATP-dependent...
01:23RNA Interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a process in which a small non-coding RNA molecule blocks the post-transcriptional expression of a gene by binding to its messenger RNA (mRNA) and preventing the protein from being translated.
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...
This process occurs naturally in cells, often through the activity of genomically-encoded microRNAs. Researchers can take advantage of this mechanism by introducing synthetic RNAs to deactivate specific genes for research or therapeutic purposes. For example, RNAi could be used...