Disclosed herein are methods for improving exosome production or stimulating exosome secretion by cells. The methods comprise inhibiting at least one step of the glycolytic pathway by contacting the cells with at least one glycolytic inhibitor and/or inhibiting mitochondrial function by contacting the cells with at least one inhibitor of mitochondrial function.

According to some embodiments, a method of reducing the spread of infection by a target pathogen in a host comprises binding a carrier to a target areas of the host's cells to reduce a likelihood that the target pathogen binds to the target areas, thereby blocking at least some of the target areas, and providing a gained advantage to the host's immune system to fight a disease caused by the target pathogen, wherein providing the gained advantage comprises decorating the carrier with epitopes to be used as a vaccination at target cell populations.

According to some embodiments, a carrier for reducing a likelihood of a pathogen binding to cell structures of a host comprises a core, surface features extending from an exterior surface of the core, wherein the surface features are configured to bind to target areas of cell structures of the host to at least partially block the pathogen from binding to said target areas as a result of competitive inhibition, and a plurality of binding sites along the exterior surface, wherein the binding sites are configured to attract at least one portion of the pathogen, wherein the binding sites are recognizable by the pathogen and are able to be bound by the pathogen, thereby at least partially immobilizing the pathogen and reducing the likelihood of the pathogen binding to target areas of cell structures of the host.

The disclosure provides polynucleotides containing outer hair cell-specific promoters, as well as vectors containing the same, that can be used to promote expression of a transgene specifically in outer hair cells. The polynucleotides described herein may be operably linked to a transgene, such as a transgene encoding a therapeutic protein, so as to promote outer hair cell-specific expression of the transgene. The polynucleotides described herein may be operably linked to a therapeutic transgene and used for the treatment of subjects having or at risk of developing hearing loss.

Disclosed is a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a virus; and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a cell, and process of making thereof. The virus is an oncolytic virus and cellular membrane is derived from for example red blood cells.

Disclosed is a nanoparticle comprising an inner core comprising a virus; and an outer surface comprising a cellular membrane derived from a cell, and process of making thereof. The virus is an oncolytic virus and cellular membrane is derived from for example red blood cells.

A nanoparticle includes a plant virus or plant virus like particle (VLP), an exogenous therapeutic nucleic acid encapsulated within the plant virus or plant VLP, and one or more fusogenic peptides or cell penetrating peptides conjugated to an exterior surface of the plant virus or plant VLP.

Provided are delivery vehicles, and methods of making and using same for reaching epithelial cells, such as cells within mucus-containing environments, and delivery vehicles with improved stability in harsh environments, including in the gastrointestinal tract.

According to some embodiments, a method of reducing a likelihood of a pathogen binding to cell structures of a host comprises at least partially blocking the pathogen from binding to cell structures of the host as a result of competitive inhibition by delivering a carrier to the host, and at least partially reducing the likelihood of the pathogen binding to target areas of cell structures of the host.

The invention concerns a loaded extracellular vesicle (EV) such as an exosome, wherein the EV has been loaded with a cargo molecule covalently or non-covalently coupled to a cell penetrating polypeptide (resulting in a “binding complex”), and the cargo molecule or binding complex has been internalized by, or is associated with, the EV. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for loading an EV with a cargo molecule, comprising contacting the EV with the binding complex, wherein the binding complex becomes internalized by, or associated with, the EV. Another aspect of the invention concerns a method for delivering a cargo molecule into a cell in vitro or in vivo, comprising administering a loaded EV to the cell in vitro or in vivo, wherein the loaded EV is internalized into the cell, and wherein the loaded EV comprises the cargo molecule covalently or non-covalently bound to a cell penetrating polypeptide.