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Preservation and Storage Stability of Extracellular Vesicles for Therapeutic Applications

  • Mini-Review
  • Theme: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Applications of Exosomes and other Extracellular Vesicles
  • Published:
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Abstract

Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs)—including exosomes, microvesicles, and others—have attracted interest as cell-derived biotherapeutics and drug delivery vehicles for a variety of applications. This interest stems from favorable properties of EVs, including their status as mediators of cell-cell communication via transfer of biological cargo and their reported ability to cross biological barriers that impede many delivery systems. However, there are many challenges to translation and widespread application of EV-based therapeutics. One such challenge that has yet to be extensively studied involves EV preservation and storage, which must be addressed to enable use of therapeutic EVs beyond resource-intensive settings. Studies to date suggest that the most promising mode of storage is − 80°C; however, understanding of storage-mediated effects is still limited. Additionally, the effects of storage appear to vary with sample source. The lack of knowledge about and standardization of EV storage may ultimately hinder widespread clinical translation. This mini-review reports current knowledge in the field of EV preservation and storage stability and highlights future directions in the area that could be critical to eventual development of EV therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 3234 Jeong Kim Engineering Building, College Park, Maryland, 20742, USA

    Anjana Jeyaram & Steven M. Jay

  2. Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

    Steven M. Jay

  3. Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA

    Steven M. Jay

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  1. Anjana Jeyaram
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  2. Steven M. Jay
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Correspondence to Steven M. Jay.

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Guest Editors: Juliane Nguyen and Steven Jay

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Jeyaram, A., Jay, S.M. Preservation and Storage Stability of Extracellular Vesicles for Therapeutic Applications. AAPS J 20, 1 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1208/s12248-017-0160-y

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