ExoTracker: a low-pH-activatable fluorescent probe for labeling exosomes and monitoring endocytosis and trafficking

Abstract

Exosomes (a type of nanoscale extracellular vesicle with a size range of 30–100 nm) mediate cell–cell communication by transferring functional biomolecules, and play an important role in various physiological and pathological processes, including tumor development and progression. More new and effective techniques for visualizing and tracking exosomes in cell–cell communication are highly desirable. However, the application of commonly used exosome-labeling probes is limited by the need for specificity and strict pH tolerance. We describe here the construction and testing of a novel exosome labeling fluorescent probe termed as “ExoTracker”, which displayed low cytotoxicity and a high fluorescence intensity in acidic environments. ExoTracker was applied for effective tracking of exosomes in cell endocytosis.