A method of producing induced exosomes, the method comprising: contacting an isolated population of stem cells (which may be mesenchymal stem cells such as mammary epithelial stem cells) with an amount of a prostaglandin E receptor 4 (EP4) antagonist (such as GW627368x) effective for inducing release of exosomes, whereby induced exosomes are released from the stem cells, and isolating the induced exosomes. The induced exosomes (which are also claimed) are enriched for proteins and miRNAs required for maintaining stem cells properties and can be used as a cell-free alternative to stem cell therapy.
