Preparation and evaluation in vitro of doxorubicin loaded mimetic exosomes-based delivery system

Exosomes are focused as natural drug delivery vehicles with the advantages of biocompatible, biodegradable and non-immunogenic. However, the low yield of exosomes is one of the challenges that constrain its application. Mimetic exosomes (m-Exo) are the novel cell-derived nano-carriers with similar properties to exosomes and the substantially greater yield is attractive. Herein, in order to evaluate the feasibility of m-Exo as drug delivery vehicles, M-Exo derived from red blood cells were prepared via ultrasonic method, characterized and loaded with doxorubicin (DOX-m-Exo). The preparation methods of DOX-m-Exo were optimized, drug loading as the evaluated index. The drug release and cytotoxicity in vitro were studied by dialysis method and MTT method, respectively. The results demonstrated that m-Exo successfully prepared showed spherical morphology and the particle size and Zeta potential were 161nm with a narrow PDI 0.238 and -25.7mV, respectively, the mixed solution of 0.085% NaCl and 0.47% glucose as the dilution medium. The drug loading of DOX-m-Exo prepared by electroporation was up to 57µg/ml. What's more, DOX-m-Exo displayed sustained release behavior and similar cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells to DOX solution. In conclusion, the studies laid a certain foundation for m-Exo serving as novel and promising drug delivery vehicles.