Extracellular Vesicle Imaging in Theranostic Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer vesicles with a diameter ranging from 30 to 150 nm, playing a crucial role in mediating cell-to-cell communication under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. However, the clinical utilization of EVs is currently hindered by the challenge of monitoring them effectively in vitro and in vivo, primarily due to their small size. In response to the limitations, scientists worldwide have dedicated significant efforts to advancing research aimed at addressing this issue and enhancing the visualization of EVs for optimized theranostic applications. Here, we comprehensively discussed existing strategies for labeling and tracking EVs in both in vitro and in vivo settings. Furthermore, we explored their potential applications in the fields of cancer theranostics, neurodegenerative diseases, and tissue injury.