Is an exosome a cell?

No. It is not a cell but a tiny membrane-bound vesicle released by a cell. It does not replicate itself.

How big is an exosome?

Typically around 30–150 nanometres in diameter.

Are exosome products an approved treatment?

No. There is no FDA-approved exosome therapy in the United States, and the FDA has warned consumers about unapproved products.

How can I judge the quality of exosome research?

Check whether the isolation method, characterisation and purity are disclosed in line with ISEV's MISEV guidelines.

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Explainer

Exosomes, explained.

What extracellular vesicles are, why researchers study them, and what the evidence does and does not currently support.

The short answer

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles — membrane-bound particles roughly 30–150 nanometres across — that cells release to carry proteins, lipids and nucleic acids to other cells. Researchers study them as a mechanism of cell-to-cell signalling and as a possible delivery vehicle. The international standard for reporting such research is MISEV, published by the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. In the United States, exosome products are not approved by the FDA for treating any condition, and the FDA has issued consumer warnings on unapproved exosome and stem cell products.

The definition

An exosome is a type of extracellular vesicle (EV), roughly 30–150 nanometres in diameter. It is enclosed in a lipid bilayer and carries proteins, lipids and nucleic acids such as mRNA and microRNA.

Why they are studied

Cells do not work alone; they exchange information. Exosomes are understood as one of the vehicles for that exchange, and are studied both to understand signalling in the body and as a possible way to deliver material to specific cells.

How they relate to culture supernatants

The supernatant left after cells are cultured contains the growth factors and cytokines those cells secreted, along with extracellular vesicles including exosomes. Most products labelled as containing exosomes therefore derive from a supernatant or a fraction of one.

The reporting standard

Research on extracellular vesicles has an international reporting standard: the MISEV guidelines from the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles. They require disclosure of isolation method, characterisation and purity. Claims that do not meet them cannot be compared scientifically.

What the evidence does not support

In the United States, exosome products are not FDA-approved to treat any disease, and the FDA has published consumer warnings about unapproved exosome and stem cell products. BIOT makes no medical efficacy claim for its products.

Frequently asked questions

Is an exosome a cell?: No. It is not a cell but a tiny membrane-bound vesicle released by a cell. It does not replicate itself.
How big is an exosome?: Typically around 30–150 nanometres in diameter.
Are exosome products an approved treatment?: No. There is no FDA-approved exosome therapy in the United States, and the FDA has warned consumers about unapproved products.
How can I judge the quality of exosome research?: Check whether the isolation method, characterisation and purity are disclosed in line with ISEV's MISEV guidelines.

Sources

* This article is provided for general scientific information. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it does not warrant the efficacy of any specific product.

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