Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (13): 3392-3401.doi: 10.12307/2026.358

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Application of exosomes in the diagnosis and monitoring of oral diseases

Huang Jiayao1, Gu Yu1, 2   

  1. 1Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai 519041, Guangdong Province, China; 2Key Laboratory of Guizhou Province for Stomatological Disease Research, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
  • Accepted:2025-09-12 Online:2026-05-08 Published:2025-12-26
  • Contact: Gu Yu, MS, Associate professor, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai 519041, Guangdong Province, China; Key Laboratory of Guizhou Province for Stomatological Disease Research, Zunyi 563000, Guizhou Province, China
  • About author:Huang Jiayao, Zhuhai Campus of Zunyi Medical University, Zhuhai 519041, Guangdong Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Undergraduate Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program for Local Universities, No. 2024106610916 (to HJY)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: As nanoscale messengers of intercellular communication, exosomes encapsulate miRNAs, proteins, and lipids within vesicles, forming an unique bioinformational code. This can accurately trace the abnormal activity trajectories of diseased cells, providing new approaches for disease diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: To briefly describe the basic concepts of exosomes and the regulatory role of related factors in their biogenesis, summarize the current research status of exosomes in oral disease diagnosis, and provide new research directions and a basis for the application of exosomes in the field of stomatology. 
METHODS: The first author conducted a computerized literature search from January to March 2025 using PubMed, Web of Science, WanFang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases to retrieve relevant literature published between January 2000 and March 2025. The Chinese and English search terms were “exosomes, periodontitis, lichenplanus, oral submucous fibrosis, oral leukemia, oral squamous carcinoma, dental caries, Sjögren syndrome, cleft of lip and/or palate, orthodontics, biomarker.” A total of 76 articles were included for analysis. 
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Exosomes, as a promising class of liquid biopsy biomarkers, have shown notable utility in the diagnosis and monitoring of oral diseases. In oral squamous cell carcinoma research, aberrant expression of miRNAs and proteins in salivary exosomes correlates closely with tumor stage and invasiveness; combining these two biomarkers achieves high sensitivity in diagnosis. For potentially malignant oral lesions, dynamic alterations in exosomal miRNAs mirror the malignant transformation risk of leukoplakia and disease progression in lichen planus. Studies on periodontitis have revealed links between exosomal components and both inflammation severity and treatment response, opening new avenues for non-invasive monitoring. Notably, differential expression of exosomal miRNAs on the mechanically responsive side during orthodontic tooth movement hints at their role in regulating periodontal tissue remodeling. In Sjögren's syndrome, combined detection of ferroptosis-related proteins and miR-1290 in exosomes has surpassed the limitations of traditional biopsy methods. While dental caries research remains in its early stages, investigations into virulence molecules in Streptococcus mutans exosomes and host immune proteins have offered fresh insights for early diagnosis. However, current work is still constrained by challenges such as sample variability, inconsistent technical standards, and gaps in mechanistic understanding. Moving forward, integrating multi-omics approaches, standardizing detection protocols, and advancing exosome-based clinical translation for precision oral disease management will be critical priorities.

Key words: exosomes, oral squamous cell carcinoma, periodontitis, oral potentially malignant disorders, orthodontic tooth movement, dental caries, cleft lip and palate, Sj?gren's syndrome, disease diagnosis, biomarkers

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