Table 3 Natural exosomes versus synthetic liposomes as advanced drug delivery systems
Properties | Exosome | Liposome | References |
|---|---|---|---|
Structure | Naturally enriched with lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids | Composed of lipids, but no proteins and nucleic acids are present | [119] |
Origin | Biological origin (naturally released by cells) | Synthetic origin (bottom-up approach) | |
Complexity of contents | Heterogeneous composition (low control of contents) | Homogeneous composition (high control of contents) | |
Polydispersity | Polydisperse | Monodisperse | [120] |
Drug loading capacity | Low loading efficiency; both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs can be loaded | High loading efficiency; both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs can be loaded | |
Immunogenicity | Absent (high biocompatibility) | Shows immunogenicity | |
Targeting features | Natural organotropism (ascribed to binding proteins expressed on surface membrane) | Low organotropism per se (surface ligands must be added for improving cell targeting) | |
Cell internalization | Cell uptake occurs via several well-established mechanisms | Cell uptake occurs via non-established mechanisms | |
Ability to cross biological barriers | Present | Absent | [129] |
Systemic half-life | Short half-life (approximately 60Â min after administration*) | Reduced half-life (incorporation of PEG can confer stealth features) | |
Industrial scale production | Very challenging (clinical-scale production methods are missing) | Easy clinical-scale manufacturing |