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Updated: Sep 6, 2025
Author Spotlight: Advancing the Analysis of Plasma Extracellular Vesicle Proteome for Cardiovascular Biomarker Studies
Published on: January 31, 2025
Bioengineering Extracellular Vesicles for the Treatment of Cardiovascular Diseases
Lalithasri Ramasubramanian1,2,3, Shixian Du1,3, Siraj Gidda1
1Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite recent advances in diagnosis and interventions, there is still a crucial need for new multifaceted therapeutics that can address the complicated pathophysiological mechanisms driving CVD. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanovesicles that are secreted by all types of cells to transport molecular cargo and regulate intracellular communication. EVs represent a growing field of nanotheranostics that can be leveraged as diagnostic biomarkers for the early detection of CVD and as targeted drug delivery vesicles to promote cardiovascular repair and recovery. Though a promising tool for CVD therapy, the clinical application of EVs is limited by the inherent challenges in EV isolation, standardization, and delivery. Hence, this review will present the therapeutic potential of EVs and introduce bioengineering strategies that augment their natural functions in CVD.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show promise for treating cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by aiding diagnosis and drug delivery. Bioengineering strategies are being explored to overcome challenges and enhance their therapeutic capabilities for CVD.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Nanomedicine
- Cardiovascular Research
Background:
- Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a leading global cause of mortality.
- Current CVD treatments require multifaceted therapeutics targeting complex pathophysiology.
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-secreted nanovesicles involved in intercellular communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the therapeutic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
- To introduce bioengineering strategies to enhance EV functions in CVD treatment.
- To highlight EVs as a promising nanotheranostic approach for CVD.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis of bioengineering techniques applied to enhance EV therapeutic efficacy.
- Discussion of challenges and future directions for clinical application of EVs.
Main Results:
- EVs can serve as diagnostic biomarkers for early CVD detection.
- EVs can function as targeted drug delivery systems for cardiovascular repair.
- Bioengineering can augment natural EV functions for improved CVD therapy.
Conclusions:
- EVs offer significant therapeutic potential for cardiovascular diseases (CVD).
- Overcoming challenges in EV isolation, standardization, and delivery is crucial for clinical translation.
- Bioengineered EVs represent a promising avenue for advanced CVD nanotherapeutics.
