2022, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (27): 4417-4422

Novel nano-delivery system: engineered small extracellular vesicles

Zhang Mi, Wu Saixuan, Dong Ming, Liu Tingjiao, Niu Weidong   

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Small extracellular vesicles are often used as an ideal natural endogenous nano-delivery system for drug delivery due to their unique source, structure and physiological function. To overcome the natural limitations of small extracellular vesicles, multiple methods can be used to engineer small extracellular vesicles.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research status and latest progress of engineered small extracellular vesicles as nano-delivery systems.
METHODS: The computer was used to search the related research of engineered small extracellular vesicle and its use as a nano-drug delivery system in databases such as CNKI and PubMed. Chinese key words were “small extracellular vesicles, drug loading, drug delivery”. English key words were “sEVs, engineering exosomes, drug loading, nanopartical delivery system”. The search time limit was from January 2011 to August 2020.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The engineering methods of small extracellular vesicles mainly include “cell engineering” for parental cells and “small extracellular vesicle engineering” for small extracellular vesicles isolated. Engineered small extracellular vesicle aims to achieve the loading of endogenous and exogenous molecules, drugs, proteins or nucleic acids on the surface or cavity of small extracellular vesicles through surface modification or modification with functional ligands, or to target small extracellular vesicles to the specific types of cells or tissues, improving the delivery performance of small extracellular vesicles from multiple angles and aspects. It has a significant significance in promoting the clinical application of small extracellular vesicles. Engineered small extracellular vesicles have gradually become an important treatment method with broad research prospects in important fields such as cancer treatment, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine.
Key words: small extracellular vesicles, nanoparticles, drug delivery system, drug loading, engineered small extracellular vesicles, engineering, targeting, drug loading