Exosomes: Tiny Messengers with Big Impact

Exosomes are tiny particles released from cells, belonging to a broader category called extracellular vesicles (EVs).

What are Exosomes?

Exosomes are tiny particles released from cells, belonging to a broader category called extracellular vesicles (EVs). Initially, scientists thought EVs were simply the cell's way of getting rid of unwanted proteins and waste, much like cellular rubbish bins. However, further research has revealed that these vesicles play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication, acting as messengers that influence the body's next actions.

Extracellular vesicles come in different sizes, with the largest being apoptotic bodies, which are involved in maintaining homeostasis, such as regulating body temperature.

Exosomes are the smallest type of extracellular vesicle, measuring just 30 to 150 nanometers in width. They carry a variety of biological materials like DNA, RNA, proteins, and lipids, all of which are essential for cell communication and maintenance. Exosomes have been shown to promote myelin formation, support neurite growth, and enhance neuronal survival, making them key players in tissue repair and regeneration. Interestingly, exosomes in the central nervous system also contain proteins that help combat diseases, highlighting their role in maintaining health.

Exosome Functions

Exosomes from different cell types have unique functions, each tailored to the needs of the body. For instance, exosomes derived from white blood cells (leukocytes) are key players in the immune response. They send messages that trigger inflammation, helping to fight off infections and remove damaged tissue.

In contrast, exosomes from platelets have a different role. They communicate signals that prompt the body to repair broken tissues, initiating a cascade of healing responses. This specialized communication highlights how exosomes are vital in coordinating various processes like immune defense and tissue regeneration.

Exosome Products

Recent research into exosomes has sparked a surge in products claiming to utilise these particles for aesthetic, orthopaedic, and dermatological treatments. These products are often synthetically prepared, with exosomes extracted from cells harvested from various sources such as roses, cows, or humans. After collection, the cells undergo processes to isolate the exosomes, which are then mixed with preservatives for commercial use.

While manufacturers assure that their products are safe and free of immediate adverse effects, there are still many questions regarding their effectiveness and the long-term impact of introducing foreign exosomes into the human body. Current medical regulations limit these products to topical use only, prohibiting injections due to these uncertainties.

Critics argue that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness of exosomes derived from non-human sources within the human body. The lack of understanding regarding the outcomes of such products raises concerns. Similarly, human-derived exosome products also face scrutiny, and are therefore not legal in the UK. Just as a mismatched blood transfusion can lead to severe reactions, the introduction of exosomes from different sources into the body needs thorough validation to ensure safety and efficacy.

Exomine: T-Lab's Innovative Autologous Exosome Product

T-Lab has developed a groundbreaking product that addresses common issues associated with exosome treatments. This new product features 30 billion exosomes derived autologously from the patient’s own blood, ensuring:

  • Injectable Safety: Since the exosomes come from the patient’s own body, the treatment is completely injectable and poses no long-term risks.
  • High Efficacy: Using the patient’s own exosomes ensures full biocompatibility and effectiveness.

How It Works:

  1. Blood Collection: Practitioners collect 40 ml of whole blood from the patient using PRP tubes.
  2. PRP Preparation: The blood is processed into Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) through standard centrifugation techniques.
  3. Exosome Extraction: The PRP is then processed using T-Lab’s advanced microlyser technology, which employs a specialized filter with numerous small blades to extract the exosomes.

This innovative approach not only enhances safety and efficacy but also represents a significant advancement in personalized medicine.

The PRP is processed through T-Lab’s microlyser, which subjects the platelets to intense shear stress. This stress is created by cutting and forcing the PRP through small holes, leading to the release of extracellular vesicles, including exosomes.

The plasma is then transferred to specially designed PRF tubes with unique grooves. These grooves induce additional shear stress on the platelets, further encouraging the release of exosomes.

The sample undergoes a final centrifugation at maximum speed for 10 minutes. Due to their small size, exosomes rise to the top of the tube. The top 2.5 ml is collected and filtered through a 150-micrometer microlysing filter to remove larger debris, resulting in an injectable exosome-enriched plasma.

Exomine confirms high levels of both general exosome markers and platelet-derived exosome markers.

General Exosome Markers

CD9: 99.6%

CD81: 98.5%

Platelet Derived Exosome Markers

CD61: 98.61%

CD41: 99.31%

Each millilitre of Exomine contains 5 billion exosomes. A typical injectable treatment involves 4-5 ml of Exomine, providing a total of 20-25 billion exosomes per treatment. Most synthetically derived exosome products offer a total of only 5 billion exosomes for an entire treatment.

Exomine’s superior concentration of exosomes per milliliter and per treatment distinguishes it from synthetic competitors, providing a significantly higher amount of active vesicles for enhanced therapeutic efficacy.

Exomine: How to

References

Overview of Extracellular Vesicles, Their Origin, Composition, Purpose, and Methods for Exosome Isolation and Analysis

Laura M. Doyle and Michael Zhuo Wang

Skin necrosis after intradermal injection of lyophilized exosome: A case report and a review of the literature

Weeratian Tawanwongsri MD and Vasanop Vachiramon MD

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