Exosomes: Biogenesis, Isolation Techniques, Applications, and Therapeutic Potential

Abstract

Exosomes are nanosized with extracellular vesicles (40–160 nm) that play a vital role in inter cellular communication by transporting proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells. Once considered merely cellular waste products, they are now widely recognized for their significant involvement in both physiological and pathological processes, including cancer progression, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune system regulation. One of their most important features is their ability to reflect the molecular composition of their parent cells, making them highly valuable as potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides an overview of exosome bio-genesis, highlighting how they are formed and released from cells. It also examines their key advantages, such as stability, bio-compatibility, and the ability to cross biological barriers, along with their disadvantages and current limitations, including challenges in large-scale production and standardization.