Targeting extracellular vesicle delivery to the lungs by microgel encapsulation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by stem and progenitor cells have significant potential as cell-free ‘cellular’ therapeutics. Yet, small EVs (in vitro, but less efficiently than the uptake of free EVs. Following intrajugular administration, microgel encapsulated EVs were selectively retained within the lungs for 72 hours, while free EVs were rapidly cleared by the liver. Furthermore, microgel loaded EVs demonstrated greater uptake by lung cells, in particular CD45+ immune cells, as assessed by flow cytometry compared to free EVs. Microencapsulation of EVs may be a novel tool for enhancing targeted delivery of EVs for future therapeutic applications.