Dear Colleagues,

Small extracellular vesicles (small EVs), including exosomes, are phospholipid bilayered nanosized particles (~30 to 120 nm in diameter), which are released by virtually all cells and mediate both local and long-distance intercellular communication via physical transport of a variety of biomolecules (DNA, RNAs, proteins, lipids, etc.) and the indirect delivery of cellular signals. Small EVs and exosomes are robust biological devices, whose integrity is maintained in the extracellular environment and that can diffuse, circulate, and be found in virtually all biofluids. Due to their biogenesis via double-inward budding of the cellular membrane, small EVs and exosomes harbor unique surface molecular fingerprints inherited from their cell of origin, which can be targeted for purification and analysis of their encapsulated cargos using a vast array of ultrasensitive molecular assays. Thus, circulating and biofluid-based small EVs and exosomes represent an advantageous source of cell-specific biomarkers for the monitoring of human diseases, but are also invaluable biological beacons for the targeted and nonpermanent delivery of therapeutics. Ongoing molecular and preclinical studies are investigating their potential for non-invasive detection of human diseases, particularly but not exclusively human cancers, for the monitoring of disease treatment–response, and the delivery of active compounds for targeted cellular therapy. This Special Edition welcomes reviews and original studies in all research and preclinical fields investigating the potential and demonstrated usefulness of small EVs and exosomes for detection and treatment of human diseases, injuries, and infections.

Dr. Olivier D. Loudig
Guest Editor

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• small extracellular vesicles
• small EVs
• exosomes
• human cancers
• early detection
• treatment
• infection
• injury
• delivery
• monitoring
• brain
• placenta
• cardiovascular disease
• obesity
• asthma
• COPD