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Review
. 2022 Sep 13;11(18):2851.
doi: 10.3390/cells11182851.

Biomaterials and Extracellular Vesicle Delivery: Current Status, Applications and Challenges

Kasey S Leung  1 , Sajjad Shirazi  1 , Lyndon F Cooper  2 , Sriram Ravindran  1
Affiliations
Review

Biomaterials and Extracellular Vesicle Delivery: Current Status, Applications and Challenges

Kasey S Leung et al. Cells. .

Abstract

In this review, we will discuss the current status of extracellular vesicle (EV) delivery via biopolymeric scaffolds for therapeutic applications and the challenges associated with the development of these functionalized scaffolds. EVs are cell-derived membranous structures and are involved in many physiological processes. Naïve and engineered EVs have much therapeutic potential, but proper delivery systems are required to prevent non-specific and off-target effects. Targeted and site-specific delivery using polymeric scaffolds can address these limitations. EV delivery with scaffolds has shown improvements in tissue remodeling, wound healing, bone healing, immunomodulation, and vascular performance. Thus, EV delivery via biopolymeric scaffolds is becoming an increasingly popular approach to tissue engineering. Although there are many types of natural and synthetic biopolymers, the overarching goal for many tissue engineers is to utilize biopolymers to restore defects and function as well as support host regeneration. Functionalizing biopolymers by incorporating EVs works toward this goal. Throughout this review, we will characterize extracellular vesicles, examine various biopolymers as a vehicle for EV delivery for therapeutic purposes, potential mechanisms by which EVs exert their effects, EV delivery for tissue repair and immunomodulation, and the challenges associated with the use of EVs in scaffolds.

Keywords: biomaterials; biopolymers; extracellular vesicles; mesenchymal stem cells; scaffolds; tissue repair.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
An overview of extracellular vesicle (EV) delivery via scaffolds. The contents and categories of the extracellular vesicles as well as what the extracellular vesicles may regulate are described. Common natural and synthetic biomaterials for scaffold fabrication are highlighted.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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