Topic: Extracellular Vesicles for Therapeutic Nucleic Acid Delivery: Loading Strategies, Delivery Mechanisms and Application Prospects

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are at the forefront of the rapidly evolving landscape of precision medicine, bridging the realms of bioengineering and nanomedicine to lead the way in a new era of targeted therapeutic delivery. EVs, encompassing diverse subpopulations of lipid bilayer-enclosed nanoparticles, are inherently primed for intercellular communication, transporting cargos rich in proteins, nucleic acids, and other biomolecules reflective of their cellular origin. The innate biocompatibility and targeting capabilities of EVs position them as an excellent platform for drug delivery, where the lipid bilayers of EVs protect their cargos from degradative enzymes, including DNase and RNase. The evolution of nucleic acid loading strategies has opened new avenues for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of EVs. Electroporation, sonication, extrusion, and chemical methods have been developed to encapsulate functional cargos within EVs. These methods vary in efficiency, capacity, and impact on EV integrity and function, highlighting the burgeoning need for optimized loading protocols tailored to specific applications. Despite the natural delivery aptitude of EVs for targeted therapy, precise control over their biodistribution remains a challenge. Nevertheless, advances in engineering EV surface properties enable targeted delivery to pathological tissues, enhancing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing off-target effects. EVs offer a versatile platform for drug delivery, gene therapy, vaccination, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. Several EV-based therapies are currently under investigation in preclinical and clinical settings.

This Special Issue is dedicated to exploring innovative strategies for EV cargo loading, the underlying mechanisms that govern their delivery to target sites, and their applications in a wide array of diseases. We invite contributions in the form of original research articles, reviews, and insightful opinions on topics including, but not limited to:
• Strategies for loading EVs with therapeutic nucleic acids;
• Delivery mechanisms of natural and engineered EVs;
• Applications in cancers, infections, regenerative medicine, and immune-mediated diseases.

30 Nov 2024