Trends in the biological functions and medical applications of extracellular vesicles and analogues.

Yan Zhao; Xiaolu LI; Wenbo Zhang; Lanlan YU; Yang Wang; Zhun Deng; Mingwei Liu; Shanshan MO; Ruonan Wang; Jinming Zhao; Shuli Liu; Yun Hao; Xiangdong Wang; Tianjiao JI; Luo Zhang; Chenxuan Wang

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Trends in the biological functions and medical applications of extracellular vesicles and analogues.

Author: Yan ZHAO ¹ ; Xiaolu LI ² ; Wenbo ZHANG ² ; Lanlan YU ² ; Yang WANG ² ; Zhun DENG ² ; Mingwei LIU ² ; Shanshan MO ² ; Ruonan WANG ² ; Jinming ZHAO ¹ ; Shuli LIU ³ ; Yun HAO ¹ ; Xiangdong WANG ¹ ; Tianjiao JI ⁴ ; Luo ZHANG ¹ ; Chenxuan WANG ²
Author Information

1. Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University and Beijing Key Laboratory of Nasal Diseases, Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, Beijing 100005, China.
2. State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China.
3. Department of Clinical Laboratory, Peking University Civil Aviation School of Clinical Medicine, Beijing 100123, China.
4. CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials & Nanosafety, CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China.
Publication Type:Review
Keywords: Biomarkers; Drug delivery; Exosomes; Extracellular vesicles; Intercellular communications
From: Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2021;11(8):2114-2135
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Natural extracellular vesicles (EVs) play important roles in many life processes such as in the intermolecular transfer of substances and genetic information exchanges. Investigating the origins and working mechanisms of natural EVs may provide an understanding of life activities, especially regarding the occurrence and development of diseases. Additionally, due to their vesicular structure, EVs (in small molecules, nucleic acids, proteins, etc.) could act as efficient drug-delivery carriers. Herein, we describe the sources and biological functions of various EVs, summarize the roles of EVs in disease diagnosis and treatment, and review the application of EVs as drug-delivery carriers. We also assess the challenges and perspectives of EVs in biomedical applications.