Multifunctional Milk-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles and Their Biomedical Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Drug Delivery Systems
• Extracellular Vesicle Research

Background:

• Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are emerging as advanced drug delivery systems.
• Milk is an abundant and cost-effective source of sEVs, termed milk-derived sEVs (msEVs).
• msEVs possess inherent biological functions beneficial for human health, including immune regulation and gut health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive review of msEVs.
• To explore the potential of msEVs as oral drug delivery vehicles.
• To discuss challenges and future directions for msEVs in biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on msEV biogenesis, characteristics, and functions.
• Analysis of msEV isolation, purification, and characterization techniques.
• Exploration of msEV loading methods and engineering for targeted delivery.

Main Results:

• msEVs exhibit low immunogenicity, good biocompatibility, and stability, enabling passage through the gastrointestinal barrier.
• msEVs can be engineered for enhanced drug delivery, prolonged circulation, and targeted action.
• Challenges in msEV separation, purification, content complexity, and quality control impede current applications.

Conclusions:

• msEVs hold significant potential as oral drug delivery vehicles and for various biomedical applications.
• Further research is needed to overcome technical hurdles in msEV production and standardization.
• Engineering msEVs offers a promising strategy for advanced therapeutic interventions.