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Updated: May 26, 2025

Characterizing Extracellular Vesicles from Biological Fluids
Published on: February 28, 2025
Surface Components and Biological Interactions of Extracellular Vesicles
Jinping Wang1,2, Kuoran Xing1, Guoying Zhang2
1Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, 4 Engineering Drive 4, 117585 Singapore.
Abstract:
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are critical mediators of intercellular communication, carrying bioactive cargo and displaying diverse surface components that reflect their cellular origins and functions. The EV surface, composed of proteins, lipids, and glycocalyx elements, plays a pivotal role in targeting recipient cells, mediating biological interactions, and enabling selective cargo delivery. This review comprehensively examined the molecular architecture of EV surfaces, linking their biogenesis to functional diversity, and highlights their therapeutic and diagnostic potential in diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disorders. Additionally, we explore emerging applications of EVs, including machine-learning-assisted analysis, chemical integration, and cross-system combinations. The review also discusses some key challenges in the clinical translation of EV-related technologies.
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