Abstract: Exosomes are cell-derived vesicles participating in cell-to-cell communications. Compared with conventional nanoparticles, exosomes are characterized by lipid bilayer membranes with abundant proteins and diverse types of cellular cargos. These unique features render exosomes a promising form of modality for therapeutic development. By utilizing genetic approaches, we engineered exosomes with cell-engaging antibodies on surfaces. These antibody-functionalized exosomes promote the formation of immunological synapses between cytotoxic T-lymphocytes and tumor cells and subsequent elimination of target cells. Furthermore, equipping exosomes with immunomodulatory domains resulted in potent anti-cancer immunity with high specificity in different preclinical animal models. These genetically reprogrammed exosomes provide a novel platform technology for the development of exosome-based immunotherapeutics.

Biography: Dr. Yong (Tiger) Zhang is an Associate Professor of Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences of Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences of University of Southern California. His lab is interested in developing innovative technologies for profiling key protein-protein interactions in cells as well as for synthesizing site-specific bioconjugates for targeted therapies in addition to engineering cell-derived exosomes by genetic and chemical approaches toward novel immunotherapies. Research findings from his lab have been published in numerous high-impact journals and resulted in a series of patents and patent applications. The Zhang lab at the University of Southern California has been continuously funded by a variety of federal, state, foundation, and institutional agencies. Dr. Zhang is a recipient of many research awards such as from NIH, CDMRP, CBCRP, TRDRP, AACR, PhRMA, AAPS, and the V Foundation for Cancer Research.