Abstract: A therapeutic delivery system uses an engineered extracellular vesicle-albumin hybrid carrier for curcumin, which is embedded in dissolvable microneedle arrays. The co-encapsulation of curcumin with albumin in extracellular vesicles extends curcumin's stability. The incorporation of therapeutic loaded carrier into microneedle arrays does not alter its cell uptake properties or bioactivity. Moreover, the bioactivity of therapeutic loaded carrier can be preserved for at least one year when encapsulated in microneedle arrays and stored under room temperature storage conditions. The microneedle arrays of the delivery system are fabricated using molding and casting processes. The extracellular vesicle carrier can be loaded using sonication.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing extracellular vesicles in an extracellular matrix material provides for improved extracellular vesicle retention in vitro and in vivo. Extracellular matrix materials, such as collagen, are functionalized with chemicals that are complimentary to ligands disposed on the surface of the extracellular vesicle. In one example embodiment, collagen is functionalized with dibenzocyclooctyne and the extracellular vesicle is functionalized with an azide tag. The extracellular vesicle is immobilized within the collagen through a click reaction involving the dibenzocyclooctyne and the azide tag.