Virus-Mimetic Fusogenic Exosomes for Direct Delivery of Integral Membrane Proteins to Target Cell Membranes

A study investigates a new biocompatible nanoplatform using an engineered exosome to transfer functional membrane proteins directly into cellular membranes. This modification of plasma membranes is called ‘membrane-editing’. The biologically originated factors promoting fusion, such as viral fusion components on the exosome surfaces, are valid biochemical techniques that give rise to high fusion efficiencies. The study has used vascular stomatitis virus (VSV)-G protein, which is routinely used to enhance the target range and transduction efficiency of retroviruses by providing wider tropism, improving viral stability, and augmenting resistance to complement inactivation. The VSV-G protein is a low-pH-activated viral fusogen that enables highly effective membrane fusion without adverse effects.