Not All Extracellular Vesicles Are Equal: A Narrative Comparative Review of Source-Dependent Function and Therapeutic Potential.
- 1Biomedical Engineering, Regenerative Medicine Equipment, Dubai 25048, United Arab Emirates.
- 2European Laser Academy, 45657 Recklinghausen, Germany.
- 3Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan 81746-73461, Iran.
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly investigated as cell-free therapeutic platforms, yet EVs from different cellular sources are often considered functionally interchangeable despite substantial biological heterogeneity. This narrative comparative review evaluated how EV source influences molecular cargo, phenotype, biological function, therapeutic suitability, safety, and translational potential. PubMed/MEDLINE, Europe PMC, and OpenAlex were searched from inception through 14 August 2026, supplemented by targeted Google Scholar and backward and forward citation searching. Of the 9779 database records identified, 3799 duplicates were removed and 5980 unique records were screened. Sixty-seven database studies and three additional studies identified through supplementary searching met the criteria for direct within-study comparison of EVs from distinct parental cell or tissue sources. Across the 70 direct comparisons, source-associated differences in cargo, phenotype, target-cell responses, and therapeutic performance were frequently reported; however, the depth and consistency of supporting evidence varied substantially across source families and indications, with activity further influenced by cellular state, engineering, vesicle fraction, isolation method, and dose. Based on these findings, we propose EV-FIT+-Function, Indication, Trade-off, and Contra-Function-as an author-developed qualitative framework for rational EV source selection. No EV source is universally superior; therapeutic suitability depends on matching source- and product-specific biological characteristics and risks to the intended clinical objective.
Related
- Multifaceted Role of Extracellular Vesicles: Intercellular Messengers to Therapeutic Applications: A Narrative Review
- Stem Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Bladder Cancer: Diagnostic Potential and Therapeutic Challenges.
- Natural Inhibitors of 5-Alpha Reductase: Mechanisms, Therapeutic Potential, and Emerging Perspectives in Androgen-Dependent Prostate Disorders
- The Tendon Extracellular Matrix: From Hierarchical Architecture to Systemic Regulation and Therapeutic Translation
- The Role of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETosis) in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Molecular Mechanisms, Pathogenic Roles, Diagnostic Biomarkers, and Emerging Therapeutic Strategies
BibTeX
@article{mehran2026extracellular,
title = {{Not All Extracellular Vesicles Are Equal: A Narrative Comparative Review of Source-Dependent Function and Therapeutic Potential.}},
author = {Yasaman Zandi Mehran and Michael Weber and Fateme Hoseinzade},
journal = {Cells},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/cells15191731},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42882429},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Not All Extracellular Vesicles Are Equal: A Narrative Comparative Review of Source-Dependent Function and Therapeutic Potential.
AU - Yasaman Zandi Mehran
AU - Michael Weber
AU - Fateme Hoseinzade
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/23
JO - Cells
DO - 10.3390/cells15191731
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42882429
AB - Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly investigated as cell-free therapeutic platforms, yet EVs from different cellular sources are often considered functionally interchangeable despite substantial biological heterogeneity. This narrative comparative review evaluated how EV source influences molecular cargo, phenotype, biological function, therapeutic suitability, safety, and translational potential. PubMed/MEDLINE, Europe PMC, and OpenAlex were searched from inception through 14 August 2026, supplemented by targeted Google Scholar and backward and forward citation searching. Of the 9779 database records identified, 3799 duplicates were removed and 5980 unique records were screened. Sixty-seven database studies and three additional studies identified through supplementary searching met the criteria for direct within-study comparison of EVs from distinct parental cell or tissue sources. Across the 70 direct comparisons, source-associated differences in cargo, phenotype, target-cell responses, and therapeutic performance were frequently reported; however, the depth and consistency of supporting evidence varied substantially across source families and indications, with activity further influenced by cellular state, engineering, vesicle fraction, isolation method, and dose. Based on these findings, we propose EV-FIT+-Function, Indication, Trade-off, and Contra-Function-as an author-developed qualitative framework for rational EV source selection. No EV source is universally superior; therapeutic suitability depends on matching source- and product-specific biological characteristics and risks to the intended clinical objective.
SN - 2073-4409
ER -