Correspondence to: Min Chen, Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicines, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau 999078, Macau SAR, China. E-mail: [email protected]; Yisheng Chen, Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Ningde Municipal Hospital of Ningde Normal University, Fujian Key Laboratory of Toxicant and Drug Toxicology, Medical College, Ningde Normal University, Ningde 352101, Fujian, China; Fujian Key Laboratory of Medical Bioinformatics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350004, Fujian, China. E-mail: [email protected]; Liang Shi, Neck-Shoulder and Lumbocrural Pain Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan 250000, Shandong, China. E-mail: [email protected]
Received: 23 September 2025 | Revised: 24 October 2025 | Accepted: 24 October 2025
Abstract
This review highlights an innovative co-delivery system using hydrogel microneedles to encapsulate exosomes and drugs, presenting a transformative strategy for treating interconnected bone and brain disorders. By bypassing the blood-brain barrier, hydrogel microneedles enable minimally invasive delivery of exosomes, which are natural vesicles rich in miRNAs and cytokines, thereby facilitating spatiotemporal control over therapeutic release. This system enhances regenerative outcomes in diabetic wounds, myocardial infarction, osteochondral defects, and neurological conditions via multi-mechanistic actions including immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and tissue repair. However, clinical translation remains challenging due to issues in exosome standardization, microneedle mechanical properties, and long-term biosafety.
Shi H, Chen Y, Huang Z, Shen C, Xiao J, Zhao H, Zou Z, Zhang W, Feng K, Ou Z, Jia L, Wang Q, Li B, Shi L, Chen M. TTargeted synergistic therapy for bone and brain disorders using hydrogel microneedles loaded with exosomes and drugs. Microstructures 2025;5:[Accept]. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/microstructures.2025.132
