Marine-Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Bioinspired Nanobiomaterials for Skin Regeneration and Dermatological Applications

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a significant advancement in the study of biological nanocarriers, facilitating intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Although there has been considerable research into mammalian-derived EVs, the exploration of marine-derived EVs is relatively limited, despite their significant potential as bioinspired biomaterials. The marine environment, characterized by extreme physicochemical conditions and significant biodiversity, produces EVs that exhibit distinctive molecular cargo, improved structural stability, and adaptive functional properties. This review presents an in-depth look of marine-derived EVs from a biomaterial’s perspective, emphasizing their biological origins, physicochemical properties, methods for isolation and purification, and advanced characterization techniques. Moreover, the mechanistic functions of marine EVs in skin regeneration are clarified, highlighting preclinical evidence supporting the application of these treatments for wound healing, inflammatory skin disorders, photoaging, pigmentation abnormalities, and skin cancer therapy. Despite the potential for favourable results, obstacles concerning large-scale production, standardization, and the translation of regulatory frameworks persist. This review highlights marine-derived EVs as a novel category of functional biomaterials, demonstrating considerable potential for advancing skin regenerative and dermatological applications in future research.