Engineered bacterial extracellular vesicles as next-generation precision postbiotics: strategies, challenges and prospects
6 affiliations
- 1College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, Zhejiang, China
- 2These authors contributed equally to this work
- 3Xianghu Laboratory, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, China
- 4Juventas 4life SL, Madrid 28049, Spain
- 5Kyojin S.A., Rosario, Argentina
- 6Rawberry Foods Co. Ltd, Huzhou 313000, Zhejiang, China
Abstract
Postbiotics, defined as inactivated microorganisms and/or their components conferring a health benefit, represent a paradigm shift from traditional probiotics by offering superior safety, stability, and precise dosing. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), natural nanoparticles secreted by bacteria, are key mediators of microbiota-host communication. BEVs have emerged as promising natural postbiotic agents due to their ability to transport bioactive cargo and modulate host physiology. However, the therapeutic application of natural BEVs (nBEVs) is constrained by limitations, including potential safety concerns, lack of target specificity, low yield, and compositional heterogeneity. To overcome these barriers, the concept of engineered BEVs (eBEVs) has been introduced. By employing genetic modification of parent bacteria, surface functionalization, and tailored cargo loading, eBEVs can be precisely designed. This engineering transforms nBEVs into advanced, targeted delivery platforms that significantly expand the scope and efficacy of postbiotics. This review explores the vast potential of eBEVs as next-generation precision postbiotics to treat multiple disorders. Despite the transformative potential, translating eBEVs into clinical practice faces challenges. These include scalable manufacturing processes, comprehensive in vivo safety and pharmacokinetic profiling, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks. Future progress hinges on interdisciplinary efforts to develop smart, stimulus-responsive BEVs, enhance endosomal escape efficiency, and conduct rigorous clinical trials. Ultimately, eBEVs stand at the forefront of a new era in microbiota-based therapeutics, merging the biocompatibility of natural vesicles with the precision of synthetic nanomedicine.
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BibTeX
@article{chen2026engineered,
title = {{Engineered bacterial extracellular vesicles as next-generation precision postbiotics: strategies, challenges and prospects}},
author = {Jiali Chen and Qiyan Chen and Baoxian Li and Chunqiang Pan and Roberto Grau and Tao Liu and Shiyu Li and Qingchi Wang and Yanan Wang and Yi Yang and Jintao Cheng and Yuanxiang Jin and Guiling Yang},
journal = {Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.20517/evcna.2026.09},
url = {https://doi.org/10.20517/evcna.2026.09},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Engineered bacterial extracellular vesicles as next-generation precision postbiotics: strategies, challenges and prospects
AU - Jiali Chen
AU - Qiyan Chen
AU - Baoxian Li
AU - Chunqiang Pan
AU - Roberto Grau
AU - Tao Liu
AU - Shiyu Li
AU - Qingchi Wang
AU - Yanan Wang
AU - Yi Yang
AU - Jintao Cheng
AU - Yuanxiang Jin
AU - Guiling Yang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/28
JO - Extracellular Vesicles and Circulating Nucleic Acids
DO - 10.20517/evcna.2026.09
UR - https://doi.org/10.20517/evcna.2026.09
AB - Postbiotics, defined as inactivated microorganisms and/or their components conferring a health benefit, represent a paradigm shift from traditional probiotics by offering superior safety, stability, and precise dosing. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), natural nanoparticles secreted by bacteria, are key mediators of microbiota-host communication. BEVs have emerged as promising natural postbiotic agents due to their ability to transport bioactive cargo and modulate host physiology. However, the therapeutic application of natural BEVs (nBEVs) is constrained by limitations, including potential safety concerns, lack of target specificity, low yield, and compositional heterogeneity. To overcome these barriers, the concept of engineered BEVs (eBEVs) has been introduced. By employing genetic modification of parent bacteria, surface functionalization, and tailored cargo loading, eBEVs can be precisely designed. This engineering transforms nBEVs into advanced, targeted delivery platforms that significantly expand the scope and efficacy of postbiotics. This review explores the vast potential of eBEVs as next-generation precision postbiotics to treat multiple disorders. Despite the transformative potential, translating eBEVs into clinical practice faces challenges. These include scalable manufacturing processes, comprehensive in vivo safety and pharmacokinetic profiling, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks. Future progress hinges on interdisciplinary efforts to develop smart, stimulus-responsive BEVs, enhance endosomal escape efficiency, and conduct rigorous clinical trials. Ultimately, eBEVs stand at the forefront of a new era in microbiota-based therapeutics, merging the biocompatibility of natural vesicles with the precision of synthetic nanomedicine.
SN - 2767-6641
ER -