Engineering Extracellular Vesicles with the Tools of Enzyme Prodrug Therapy

Fuhrmann G, Chandrawati R, Parmar PA, Keane TJ, Maynard SA, Bertazzo S, Stevens MM (2018)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2018

Journal

Advanced Materials Wiley

Book Volume: 30

Article Number: 1706616

Journal Issue: 15

DOI: 10.1002/adma.201706616

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have recently gained significant attention as important mediators of intercellular communication, potential drug carriers, and disease biomarkers. These natural cell-derived nanoparticles are postulated to be biocompatible, stable under physiological conditions, and to show reduced immunogenicity as compared to other synthetic nanoparticles. Although initial clinical trials are ongoing, the use of EVs for therapeutic applications may be limited due to undesired off-target activity and potential “dilution effects” upon systemic administration which may affect their ability to reach their target tissues. To fully exploit their therapeutic potential, EVs are embedded into implantable biomaterials designed to achieve local delivery of therapeutics taking advantage of enzyme prodrug therapy (EPT). In this first application of EVs for an EPT approach, EVs are used as smart carriers for stabilizing enzymes in a hydrogel for local controlled conversion of benign prodrugs to active antiinflammatory compounds. It is shown that the natural EVs' antiinflammatory potential is comparable or superior to synthetic carriers, in particular upon repeated long-term incubations and in different macrophage models of inflammation. Moreover, density-dependent color scanning electron microscopy imaging of EVs in a hydrogel is presented herein, an impactful tool for further understanding EVs in biological settings.

Authors with CRIS profile

Gregor Fuhrmann

Involved external institutions

Imperial College London / The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine GB United Kingdom (GB) University College London (UCL) GB United Kingdom (GB)

How to cite

APA:

Fuhrmann, G., Chandrawati, R., Parmar, P.A., Keane, T.J., Maynard, S.A., Bertazzo, S., & Stevens, M.M. (2018). Engineering Extracellular Vesicles with the Tools of Enzyme Prodrug Therapy. Advanced Materials, 30(15). https://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.201706616

MLA:

Fuhrmann, Gregor, et al. "Engineering Extracellular Vesicles with the Tools of Enzyme Prodrug Therapy." Advanced Materials 30.15 (2018).

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