An exosome is a small sac, 50 to 200 nm in size, secreted by cells, mainly found in blood, urine, saliva, breast milk, and cerebrospinal fluid, and can also be obtained during the process of culturing cells. The surface of an exosome is surrounded by the same lipid-soluble substance as the cell membrane, allowing it to pass through various tissues in the body, and the proteins, lipids, RNA, and other components contained in exosomes are identical to the cell's components, so they are involved in various biological signaling processes such as cell-to-cell communication and the transport of biological molecules. [5] Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles generally in the range of 30 to 150 nanometers in diameter that play an important role in cell-to-cell communication and the delivery of bioactive molecules, and they are attracting attention in the field of dermatology. [1]
Exosomes were first discovered in the 1980s (the term was first used in 1987) and were initially considered cellular waste. It took about 10 years for scientists to recognize the active role of exosomes in cell function and communication. [6] The Amorepacific R&I Center has continued research on the functions of skin cell exosomes and the skin ecosystem since 2013, and is continuing research to uncover the skin efficacy and potential applications of exosomes. [7] Subsequently, in the cosmetics field as well, various research is being conducted with a focus on the skin delivery characteristics and cell communication functions of exosomes.