Magnetically Navigated Intracellular Delivery of Extracellular Vesicles Using Amphiphilic Nanogels

Abstract

Various cells in vivo secrete exosomes consisting of lipid bilayers. They carry mRNAs and miRNAs capable of controlling cellular functions and can be used as drug delivery system nanocarriers. There is the current need to further improve the efficiency of exosome uptake into target cells. In this study, we prepared a hybrid of exosomes and magnetic nanoparticles, which could be guided to target cells by a magnetic field for efficient uptake. Magnetic nanogels were prepared and hybridized to fluorescently labeled exosomes isolated from PC12 cells. By applying a magnetic field to a hybrid with magnetic nanogel, exosomes were efficiently transferred into target cells as confirmed by confocal laser microscopy. Finally, we found that differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells to neuron-like cells was enhanced by magnetic induction of the exosome-magnetic nanogel hybrid, indicating maintenance of the intrinsic functions of the exosomes in the differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells.