Hit the bull's eye: Engineered extracellular vesicles for targeted therapy

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cell Biology
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are natural intercellular communicators with therapeutic potential.
• Challenges in biodistribution and off-target effects hinder clinical translation of EVs.
• EV engineering offers enhanced specificity and efficacy for targeted therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review EV biogenesis, function, and natural targeting mechanisms.
• To discuss engineering strategies for enhancing EV targeting to pathological tissues.
• To examine the influence of the microenvironment on engineered EV targeting and applications.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of EV biogenesis, composition, trafficking, and uptake.
• Analysis of natural EV biodistribution and molecular heterogeneity.
• Comparison of different EV engineering strategies for targeting.
• Examination of organ-specific microenvironment effects on EV targeting.
• Summary of engineered EV applications in targeted therapy.

Main Results:

• EVs mediate intercellular communication and possess therapeutic potential.
• Molecular heterogeneity influences natural EV targeting.
• Engineered EVs demonstrate improved targeting specificity and therapeutic efficacy.
• Organ-specific microenvironments impact engineered EV performance.
• Engineered EVs show promise across various organ systems.

Conclusions:

• EV engineering is crucial for overcoming clinical translation barriers.
• Targeted delivery via engineered EVs enhances therapeutic outcomes.
• Further research is needed to address challenges in clinical translation and optimize EV-based therapies.