Decoding metabolic diseases through bacterial extracellular vesicles: mechanisms, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Liver Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- 2Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
- 3Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Centre, Chongqing, 400014, China. [email protected].
- 4Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Liver Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. [email protected].
- 5Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer and Liver Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. [email protected].
Abstract
Metabolic diseases represent a class of chronic conditions characterized by disturbances in energy and material metabolism. These diseases primarily include obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. A core pathological feature underlying their development is the mutual reinforcement between chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic imbalance. The gut microbiota has been highlighted by recent research as a key regulator of host metabolism, while bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are emerging as critical mediators. BEVs transport bioactive molecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) to facilitate microbiota-host crosstalk without direct contact. Pathogen-derived BEVs often exacerbate metabolic dysfunction via inflammation, while commensal/probiotic BEVs protect against disorders by enhancing intestinal barrier function and regulating immunity. Furthermore, owing to their high stability, easy penetration of biological barriers, and capacity to carry abundant cellular information, BEVs demonstrate broad application prospects as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for metabolic diseases and as natural or engineered targeted drug delivery vehicles. This review outlines the mechanisms and progress in the application of gut BEVs in metabolic diseases. It aims to deepen our understanding of host-microbiota interaction networks and support the development of novel intervention strategies for metabolic diseases.
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BibTeX
@article{song2026decoding,
title = {{Decoding metabolic diseases through bacterial extracellular vesicles: mechanisms, diagnostics, and therapeutics.}},
author = {Di Song and Wenhui Mo and Qiaoyu Deng and Yu Zeng and Yujie Zhang and Xiaoyan Ao and Liling Deng and Xiaoze Wang and Xiaoli Fan},
journal = {Journal of nanobiotechnology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12951-026-04826-z},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908011},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Decoding metabolic diseases through bacterial extracellular vesicles: mechanisms, diagnostics, and therapeutics.
AU - Di Song
AU - Wenhui Mo
AU - Qiaoyu Deng
AU - Yu Zeng
AU - Yujie Zhang
AU - Xiaoyan Ao
AU - Liling Deng
AU - Xiaoze Wang
AU - Xiaoli Fan
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Journal of nanobiotechnology
DO - 10.1186/s12951-026-04826-z
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42908011
AB - Metabolic diseases represent a class of chronic conditions characterized by disturbances in energy and material metabolism. These diseases primarily include obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. A core pathological feature underlying their development is the mutual reinforcement between chronic low-grade inflammation and metabolic imbalance. The gut microbiota has been highlighted by recent research as a key regulator of host metabolism, while bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are emerging as critical mediators. BEVs transport bioactive molecules (proteins, lipids, nucleic acids) to facilitate microbiota-host crosstalk without direct contact. Pathogen-derived BEVs often exacerbate metabolic dysfunction via inflammation, while commensal/probiotic BEVs protect against disorders by enhancing intestinal barrier function and regulating immunity. Furthermore, owing to their high stability, easy penetration of biological barriers, and capacity to carry abundant cellular information, BEVs demonstrate broad application prospects as non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for metabolic diseases and as natural or engineered targeted drug delivery vehicles. This review outlines the mechanisms and progress in the application of gut BEVs in metabolic diseases. It aims to deepen our understanding of host-microbiota interaction networks and support the development of novel intervention strategies for metabolic diseases.
SN - 1477-3155
ER -