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Updated: Jan 7, 2026
Isolation and Characterization of Exosomes from Skeletal Muscle Fibroblasts
Published on: May 16, 2020
Isolation & Characterization of Stable Exosomes in a Topical Cosmetic Formulation
Kuniko Kadoya1, Khadija Nader1, Mitchel P Goldman2
1Allergan Aesthetics, an AbbVie Company, Irvine, California.
Background:
Skincare products that improve skin quality appearance via cosmetic active ingredients are of immense interest to combat signs of skin aging. A human fibroblast-conditioned medium containing growth factors, cytokines, and soluble extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins has also been found to contain exosomes, spherical nanovesicles involved in cellular communication, which may play a role in skin rejuvenation.
Objective:
To isolate and characterize exosomes in a topical cosmetic skincare formulation containing human dermal fibroblast-conditioned media.
Materials And Methods:
Exosomes were isolated via ultracentrifugation and size exclusion chromatography; characterized using Nanoparticle tracking analysis to assess exosome size, number, and distribution; transmission electron microscopy to visualize exosome structure and morphology; and multiplex ELISA to quantify exosome surface markers. An in vitro comparator gene expression analysis was conducted for ECM genes.
Results:
Nanoparticle tracking analysis indicated peak particle size at 150 nm and a concentration of 7.6E + 10 particles/mL. Transmission electron microscopy showed spherical structures with a size consistent with exosomes. Multiplex ELISA confirmed CD9, CD63, and CD81 expression. Gene expression analysis showed greater expression of ECM genes in a human skin model after topical cosmetic skincare application compared to similar products.
Conclusion:
The topical cosmetic skincare formulation contains intact exosomes enriched with exosome-specific surface marker proteins.
