Fig. 1

AF-MSC-derived mimetics production and characterization. a Schematics of mimetics (MIMs) production compared to naturally released exosomes (EXOs): MIM production occurs through filtered-membrane centrifugation steps while EXO extraction from culture media by using the Total Exosome Isolation Reagent (TEIR). Concentration (particle/ml) b and size c values for mimetics (MIMs, in red) and exosomes (EXOs, in blue) obtained by NTA (n = 10). Statistically significant differences (p*** < 0.001) were observed between the two particle type formulations in terms of yield starting from the same number of AF-MSCs (10 millions/batch). d Total protein content (expressed in mg) shows a reduction in MIMs compared to EXOs (n = 3, p*** < 0.001). e Protein array displays comparable qualitative molecular profiles between MIMs and EXOs. f Biodistribution of fluorescently labelled EXOs and MIMs in various organs of female mice after intraperitoneal injection. The bar graphs represent the particle accumulation (signal reported as photons total flux, p/s) in each organ for EXOs and MIMs. Significant differences in LNP accumulation were observed between the groups in the lungs (p < 0.05) and liver (p < 0.01), where EXOs exhibit greater uptake compared to MIMs. Both groups show comparable levels of accumulation in the ovaries, brain, spleen, and kidneys, with no significant differences observed. (n = 3 mice/group; mean ± SD). g Schematic illustrating organ-specific biodistribution of EXOs and MIMs in female mice, organized based on decreasing total photon flux signal. The organs are ranked in order of particle accumulation