Bacterial extracellular vesicles in inflammatory diseases: emerging roles and mechanisms.
5 affiliations
- 1College of Basic Medicine, Beihua University, Jilin 132033, China.
- 2Geriatric Medical Center, Division of Geriatric Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650032, China.
- 3Hospital of Stomatology, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
- 4Institute for Engineering Medicine, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China.
- 5School of Public Health, Beihua University, Jilin 132033, China.
Abstract
Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), nanoscale membrane-bound particles secreted by bacteria, have emerged as pivotal mediators of host-microbe communication, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases. By delivering diverse bioactive cargos including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and metabolites, BEVs orchestrate complex immunological responses, playing dual roles in both the exacerbation and resolution of inflammation. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis, classification and molecular composition of BEVs, with emphasis on their immunomodulatory functions. Mechanistically, BEVs derived from pathogenic bacteria can trigger robust pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, disrupt epithelial barriers and promote tissue destruction, contributing to disease progression in conditions such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary disorders. Conversely, BEVs from commensal and probiotic strains exhibit anti-inflammatory and tissue-reparative effects, mediated through macrophage polarization, cytokine modulation and gut microbiota homeostasis. Recent advances highlight the therapeutic potential of engineered BEVs as bio-nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery, vaccine platforms and immunotherapies. We further explore the translational challenges of BEV-based strategies, including scalability, targeting specificity and biocompatibility. By elucidating the multifaceted roles of BEVs in inflammatory pathophysiology, this review offers new insights into their application as next-generation nanotherapeutics for precision medicine.
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BibTeX
@article{yang2026bacterial,
title = {{Bacterial extracellular vesicles in inflammatory diseases: emerging roles and mechanisms.}},
author = {Chun Yang and Muran Bai and Yucheng Wan and Yingying Qian and Zhongshi Li and Qing Zheng and Liqun Lv and Yan Zhang and Zhijin Fan and Hongju Yang and Yuhui Liao},
journal = {Regenerative biomaterials},
year = {2026},
month = jun,
doi = {10.1093/rb/rbag129},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904266},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Bacterial extracellular vesicles in inflammatory diseases: emerging roles and mechanisms.
AU - Chun Yang
AU - Muran Bai
AU - Yucheng Wan
AU - Yingying Qian
AU - Zhongshi Li
AU - Qing Zheng
AU - Liqun Lv
AU - Yan Zhang
AU - Zhijin Fan
AU - Hongju Yang
AU - Yuhui Liao
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/06/16
JO - Regenerative biomaterials
DO - 10.1093/rb/rbag129
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42904266
AB - Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs), nanoscale membrane-bound particles secreted by bacteria, have emerged as pivotal mediators of host-microbe communication, particularly in the context of inflammatory diseases. By delivering diverse bioactive cargos including proteins, lipids, nucleic acids and metabolites, BEVs orchestrate complex immunological responses, playing dual roles in both the exacerbation and resolution of inflammation. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the biogenesis, classification and molecular composition of BEVs, with emphasis on their immunomodulatory functions. Mechanistically, BEVs derived from pathogenic bacteria can trigger robust pro-inflammatory signaling cascades, disrupt epithelial barriers and promote tissue destruction, contributing to disease progression in conditions such as periodontitis, rheumatoid arthritis and pulmonary disorders. Conversely, BEVs from commensal and probiotic strains exhibit anti-inflammatory and tissue-reparative effects, mediated through macrophage polarization, cytokine modulation and gut microbiota homeostasis. Recent advances highlight the therapeutic potential of engineered BEVs as bio-nanocarriers for targeted drug delivery, vaccine platforms and immunotherapies. We further explore the translational challenges of BEV-based strategies, including scalability, targeting specificity and biocompatibility. By elucidating the multifaceted roles of BEVs in inflammatory pathophysiology, this review offers new insights into their application as next-generation nanotherapeutics for precision medicine.
SN - 2056-3418
SN - 2056-3426
ER -