Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (7): 1839-1849.doi: 10.12307/2026.633

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Exosome-delivered CRISPR/Cas system enables gene editing in target cells 

Wang Baiyan1, 2, Yang Shu1, Wang Yiming1, Wu Mengqing3, Xiao Yu4, Guo Zixuan1, Zhang Boyi1, Feng Shuying1, 2   

  1. 1Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; 2Henan Engineering Research Center of Special Medical Food of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; 3School of Pediatric Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; 4School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China
  • Received:2025-02-25 Revised:2025-06-19 Accepted:2025-07-03 Online:2026-03-08 Published:2025-08-21
  • Contact: Feng Shuying, MD, Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; Henan Engineering Research Center of Special Medical Food of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China
  • About author:Wang Baiyan, MS, Associate professor, Master’s supervisor, Medical College, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China; Henan Engineering Research Center of Special Medical Food of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, Henan Province, China
  • Supported by:
    Henan Natural Science Foundation, No. 232300421164 (to FSY); Basic Research Project of Henan Provincial Key Scientific Research Project, No. 23ZX005 (to FSY); Henan Provincial Science and Technology Research and Development Joint Fund, No. 232301420070 (to FSY) 

Abstract: BACKGROUND: CRISPR/Cas gene editing system has been widely used in scientific research and related clinical therapy due to its characteristics of precise gene editing, simple targeted design, low cost and high efficiency. However, how to deliver CRISPR/Cas system to target cells more safely, efficiently and accurately is still an urgent problem.
OBJECTIVE: To review all aspects from the sources and engineering strategies of exosomes for delivering CRISPR/Cas systems, the loading methods of exosomes for CRISPR/Cas systems, the biological forms of CRISPR/Cas systems and their action pathways in cells, providing a more intuitive and systematic perspective for researchers in this field.
METHODS: “Exosome, drug delivery systems, delivery, CRISPR/Cas, gene editing, engineered exosomes, targeting” were used as English search terms and “exosomes, drug delivery, CRISPR/Cas, engineering” were used as Chinese search terms to search PubMed and CNKI databases, respectively. The search time range was from 2014 to 2024. Through careful reading of the title and abstract of the literature, the preliminary screening was carried out, and the literature with poor correlation and repeated content was excluded. Finally, 78 articles were included for in-depth analysis and discussion.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Exosomes are lipid vesicles with a diameter of 30-150 nm. They have the advantages of long circulation half-life, intrinsic ability to target tissues, good biocompatibility, and low inherent toxicity, showing strong targeted delivery ability. (2) Although CRISPR/Cas system is a powerful gene editing tool, the existing CRISPR/Cas system delivery vectors have their own advantages and disadvantages and cannot fully meet the needs. (3) Exosomes used for delivering the CRISPR/Cas system mainly originate from cells or tissues with high exosome production. However, researchers still need to select or further engineer them according to the requirements of their studies. (4) The exosomes delivering CRISPR/Cas system are mainly engineered by genetic engineering modification, chemical modification, exosome-liposome hybridization and other strategies. (5) Methods for loading the CRISPR/Cas system into exosomes include electroporation, incubation, transfection, and active loading approaches, with the choice of method depending on the physicochemical properties of the CRISPR/Cas system. (6) The biological forms of the CRISPR/Cas system delivered by exosomes include plasmids and ribonucleoprotein complexes, each with its own characteristics. CRISPR/Cas system successfully delivered by exosomes enable gene editing within target cells. 

Key words:  exosomes, CRISPR/Cas system, gene editing, drug load, targeted delivery, engineering

CLC Number: