Work

Exosome trafficking, delivery, and detection, harnessed via 3D hydrogels and 3D DNA nanotechnologies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Exosomes carry complex molecular cargo, including proteins, lipids, and RNAs, that reflects the physiological state of their parent cells. This property gives them considerable potential as circulating biomarkers and therapeutic delivery vehicles. However, their clinical translation remains limited by several practical challenges, including rapid clearance after administration, loss of stability during handling or delivery, and the technical difficulty of detecting low-abundance disease-associated exosomes in complex biofluids. This review focuses on two emerging three-dimensional strategies designed to address these challenges. First, we examine hydrogel-based exosome delivery. The three-dimensional networks of hydrogels can physically retain exosomes, protect them from degradation, and enable sustained local release over days or weeks. Advanced hydrogel formulations can also respond to local pathological cues, such as reduced pH or elevated reactive oxygen species, thereby providing spatiotemporal control over exosome release. We summarize how different loading strategies, including physical adsorption, covalent conjugation, and in situ gelation, have been applied in tissue regeneration, immunomodulation, and cancer therapy. Second, we discuss three-dimensional DNA nanotechnology for exosome detection. DNA nanostructures, including tetrahedra, nanocages, and origami architectures, can be precisely assembled through programmable base-pairing interactions. Their controllable geometry and surface chemistry enable specific exosome capture and signal amplification at the nanometer scale. By integrating aptamers or complementary probes with fluorescence or electrochemical readouts, these platforms can detect exosomal surface markers and internal RNAs with sensitivities higher than those achieved by many conventional methods. Finally, we briefly compare commonly used exosome isolation methods, including ultracentrifugation, immunoaffinity capture, and microfluidics, and discuss their respective limitations. The review concludes with a perspective on how smart materials and integrated material design may facilitate the translation of exosome-based diagnostics and therapeutics toward clinical application.

Source: Materials Today Advances

DOI: 10.1016/j.mtadv.2026.100950

Authors: Rong Yang, Mingyang Wang, Yuqi Huang

Institutions: Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing Jiulongpo People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Extracellular vesicles in disease

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,790