Microfluidic devices for production of extracellular vesicles inspired nanoparticles

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K14568
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 28030:Nanomaterials-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology (2023); Kyushu University (2022)
• Principal Investigator: Kimura Niko 東京農工大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 講師 (80910926)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 脂質ナノ粒子 / マイクロ流体デバイス / エクソソーム / 物理特性

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Exosomes are nano-meter sized extracellular vesicles mainly composed of natural lipids and they mediate complicated intercellular communication in our bodies. They are expected to provide fundamental biological insights and designs of novel nanomedicines. On exosomes surface, there are various biological molecules such as proteins, and inside exosome, there are also biological molecules such as nucleic acids. Referring to recent research relating exsomes, not only biological molecules such as integrins but also their physical characteristics such as size and stiffness are considered as key factors in their unique behaviors in our bodies. In terms of designing of effective nanocarriers, physical characteristics of nanoparticles such as size and stiffness are also important design parameters to achieve desired drug delivery.
In this study, microfluidic methods are demonstrated to produce exosome inspired nanoparticles based on natural lipids with desired size and stiffness.

Free Research Field

ナノバイオサイエンス

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果により、所望の物理特性をもつ多種多様のエクソソーム模倣粒子の調製が可能になる。これにより、従来の人工合成脂質を主成分とする脂質ナノ粒子よりも実際のエクソソームに近い条件で、粒子としての特性（粒子物性）が体内動態へ与える影響を粒子物性を基軸に評価することができるようになる。本研究成果による人工エクソソームの作製手法および、作製粒子によって得られた基礎的知見は、エクソソームが持つ高い生体適合性や選択的蓄積特性をもつような新規ナノ医薬品の設計・作製に貢献し得ると考える。