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Engineering of Extracellular Vesicles for Targeted Delivery of Prodigiosin
Ivan Guryanov1, Sirina Sabirova1, Svetlana Batasheva1
1Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology, Kazan Federal University, Kremlevskaya, 18, 420008 Kazan, Russia.
Biotech (Basel (Switzerland))
|March 27, 2026
Summary
Prodigiosin (PG) delivery for cancer therapy is improved by loading it into extracellular vesicles. These engineered vesicles enhance drug stability and targeting, offering a more compatible alternative to pure PG for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology and Nanomedicine
- Cancer Therapeutics
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Prodigiosin (PG) is a hydrophobic anticancer agent with therapeutic potential.
- Challenges in PG delivery include poor stability and distribution in aqueous media.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nano-sized vesicles with potential as drug carriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of loading prodigiosin into extracellular vesicles for enhanced anticancer drug delivery.
- To evaluate different methods for EV fabrication and PG loading.
- To compare the characteristics and stability of PG-loaded EVs.
Main Methods:
- EVs were induced using cytochalasin B treatment and serum-depleted media.
- Prodigiosin's efficacy in microvesicle formation was assessed via protein quantification and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA).
- EV stability under ultrasound exposure was evaluated using NTA.
- Zeta potential and hydrodynamic diameter were measured for PG-loaded EVs.
- Ultrasonic treatment and PG induction were compared for PG loading efficiency.
Main Results:
- Prodigiosin demonstrated efficacy in inducing microvesicle formation, similar to cytochalasin B.
- Mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs showed enhanced stability under ultrasound exposure.
- PG-loaded EVs exhibited slightly increased zeta potentials and hydrodynamic diameters, suggesting improved stability.
- PG-induced and PG-loaded EVs from mesenchymal stem cells were smaller and less polydisperse than those from other methods.
- Ultrasonic treatment for PG loading was less optimal than PG induction due to particle aggregation.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular vesicles, particularly those from mesenchymal stem cells, are effective carriers for prodigiosin.
- Encapsulating prodigiosin within EVs enhances its stability and compatibility for potential medical applications.
- PG-induced EV formation is a promising method for creating stable, drug-loaded nanocarriers.
