Exosome tracking by magnetic resonance imaging.
10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240517
- Author:
Wanyi YANG
1
,
2
,
3
;
Shizi TAN
1
;
Chaohui ZUO
1
,
4
Author Information
1. Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Graduate Collaborative Training Base of Hunan Cancer Hospital, Hengyang
2. ywanyi2022@
3. com.
4. zuochaohui@vip.sina.com.
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
contrast agent;
exosomes;
magnetic resonance imaging;
relaxation time;
superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles;
tracking technology
- MeSH:
Exosomes/metabolism*;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods*;
Contrast Media;
Animals;
Tissue Distribution
- From:
Journal of Central South University(Medical Sciences)
2025;50(2):301-312
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Exosomes are small vesicles commonly found in bodily fluids such as blood, urine, ascites, and breast milk. As essential mediators of intercellular communication, exosomes play pivotal roles in physiological and pathological processes including material transport, signal transduction, homeostasis regulation, immune response, and angiogenesis. They are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis and key carriers for therapeutic drug delivery. Longitudinal tracking of exosome biodistribution, elucidating their migratory routes and homing effects, determining optimal delivery routes and therapeutic dosages, and evaluating implantation in target tissues are crucial for better understanding their mechanisms of action and guiding clinical applications. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as a non-invasive and repeatable imaging technique, offers an ideal approach for exosome tracking. By labeling exosomes with specific contrast agents or tracers and detecting them via MRI, researchers can trace exosomes in vivo. This facilitates advancements in exosome-based nanomedicine and accelerates the clinical translation of exosome diagnostics and therapeutics.
