Leveraging nature's nanocarriers: Translating insights from extracellular vesicles to biomimetic synthetic vesicles for biomedical applications

Sci Adv. 2025 Feb 28;11(9):eads5249. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.ads5249. Epub 2025 Feb 26.

Abstract

Naturally occurring extracellular vesicles (EVs) and synthetic nanoparticles like liposomes have revolutionized precision diagnostics and medicine. EVs excel in biocompatibility and cell targeting, while liposomes offer enhanced drug loading capacity and scalability. The clinical translation of EVs is hindered by challenges including low yield and heterogeneity, whereas liposomes face rapid immune clearance and limited targeting efficiency. To bridge these gaps, biomimetic synthetic vesicles (SVs) have emerged as innovative platforms, combining the advantageous properties of EVs and liposomes. This review emphasizes critical aspects of EV biology, such as mechanisms of EV-cell interaction and source-dependent functionalities in targeting, immune modulation, and tissue regeneration, informing biomimetic SV engineering. We reviewed a broad array of biomimetic SVs, with a focus on lipid bilayered vesicles functionalized with proteins. These include cell-derived nanovesicles, protein-functionalized liposomes, and hybrid vesicles. By addressing current challenges and highlighting opportunities, this review aims to advance biomimetic SVs for transformative biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomimetic Materials* / chemistry
  • Biomimetics* / methods
  • Drug Carriers* / chemistry
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / chemistry
  • Extracellular Vesicles* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Liposomes / chemistry
  • Nanoparticles* / chemistry

Substances

  • Liposomes
  • Drug Carriers