Apoptotic bodies for advanced drug delivery and therapy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as promising candidates for multiple biomedical applications. Major types of EVs include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies (ABs). ABs are conferred most properties from parent cells in the final stages of apoptosis. A wide variety of sources and stable morphological features are endowed to ABs by the rigorous apoptotic program. ABs accommodate more functional biomolecules by relying on the larger volume and maintaining their naturalness in circulation. The predominant body surface ratio of ABs facilitates their recognition by recipient cells and is advantageous for interactions with microenvironments. ABs can modulate and alleviate symptoms of numerous diseases for their origins, circulation, and high biocompatibility. In addition, ABs have been emerging in disease diagnosis, immunotherapy, regenerative therapy, and drug delivery. Here, we aim to present a thorough discussion on current knowledge about ABs. Of particular interest, we will summarize the application of AB-based strategies for diagnosis and disease therapy. Perspectives for the development of ABs in biomedical applications are highlighted.

Automated summary

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including apoptotic bodies (ABs), have emerged as promising candidates for various biomedical applications. ABs, derived from parent cells during the final stages of apoptosis, possess diverse sources and stable morphological features. They accommodate more functional biomolecules due to their larger volume and exhibit advantageous interactions with recipient cells through their predominant body surface ratio. ABs hold great potential in modulating and alleviating symptoms of numerous diseases, and have also been applied in disease diagnosis, immunotherapy, regenerative therapy, and drug delivery.