Since the end of 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has spread as a new strain of coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) and progressed as a global pandemic. Exosomes are membrane‐bound vesicles released from almost all cells and are crucially involved in cell–cell communication. Interestingly, COVID‐19 viral particles produce exosomes that moderate communication between infected and uninfected cells. Hence, there is growing evidence highlighting the crucial implications of exosomes in COVID‐19 infection, transmission, intercellular spread, and reinfection. On the other hand, clinical trials have demonstrated mesenchymal stem cell‐derived exosomes as a promising therapeutic strategy for severely affected COVID‐19 patients. Also, convalescent plasma‐derived exosomes have been proposed for multiple efficacies in COVID‐19 patients. Furthermore, messenger RNAs (mRNA)‐loaded exosomes were superior to mRNA‐loaded lipid nanoparticles as a delivery system. Hence, exosomes can be used to safely induce SARS‐CoV‐2 immunity via their loading with mRNAs encoding immunogenic forms of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins. Moreover, exosomes can be used as a nano‐delivery system for microRNA to alleviate cytokine storm and prevent the progression of organ failure in COVID‐19 patients. The present review summarizes state of the art concerning the role of exosomes in COVID‐19 infection and accompanying organ complications as well as the potential use of exosomes in COVID‐19 diagnosis, treatment, drug delivery, and vaccination. The review also sheds the light on the common biogenic pathway between the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus and exosomes. Additionally, the latest and current clinical trials using exosomes for COVID‐19 infection are summarized.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.