Enhanced Anti-Tumor Effects of Natural Killer Cell-Derived Exosomes Through Doxorubicin Delivery to Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells: Cytotoxicity and Apoptosis Study.

ABSTRACT: Exosomes are nanosized extracellular vesicles secreted by various cells, including natural killer (NK) cells, and are known for their low toxicity, high permeability, biocompatibility, and strong targeting ability. NK cell-derived exosomes (NK-exos) contain cytotoxic proteins that enhance tumor-targeting efficiency, making them suitable for treating solid tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Despite their potential in drug delivery, the mechanisms of drug-loaded NK-exos, particularly those loaded with doxorubicin (NK-exos-Dox), remain unclear in HCC. This study explored the anti-tumor effects of NK-exos-Dox against Hep3B cells in vitro. NK-exos-Dox expressed exosome markers (CD9 and CD63) and cytotoxic proteins (granzyme B and perforin) and measured 170-220 nm in size. Com

SUBMITTER: Choi YH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11900065 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature