Exosomes in Viral Infections: Insights into Their Emerging Role in Dengue Pathogenesis and Therapeutics

Dengue virus (DENV) is a major global health concern, with millions of cases reported each year, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, are the primary vectors of the virus responsible for the transmission of infection. Clinical consequences of Dengue infection range from moderate fever to severe symptoms like hemorrhagic fever and shock. The severe forms of dengue consist of a complex interaction between viral factors, host immunological responses, and endothelium damage. Currently, there is no specific antiviral medication available, and management is mostly supportive. Exosomes, tiny extracellular vesicles that play an important role in cellular communication, have sparked interest due to their potential role in viral infections such as dengue. These vesicles transfer proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids between cells, potentially influencing immunological responses and viral development. Investigating their role in DENV infection could provide important insights into the underlying disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic options. This review looks at exosome biogenesis, their involvement in viral infections, their therapeutic promise in dengue, and the challenges and future prospects of exosome-based research. This study highlights the potential of exosomes as valuable biomarker and therapeutic target in the future to combat dengue by combining existing mechanistic knowledge with translational approaches.