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**Chapter 8**

**Abstract**

**1. Introduction**

The Biology and Therapeutic

Extracellular Vesicles

*Chun Kuen Lam and Minh T.N. Le*

*Daniel Xin Zhang, Theodoros Kiomourtzis,* 

overcoming various limitations of conventional therapeutics.

merits and potential applications in therapeutics [5].

**2. Overview of extracellular vesicles**

**2.1 History of extracellular vesicles**

**Keywords:** extracellular vesicles, red blood cells, therapy, drug delivery

In the last decade, we observed a massive upsurge of studies in the field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) [1]. As it is known now, EVs can be loaded with different therapeutic molecules and transport them to recipient cells with little interrogation by the immune system. This property of EVs prompts new possibilities for treatment in various clinical settings [2–4]. In this chapter, we review the biology of EVs as a universal cellular component from a broader perspective, and afterward provide an updated view on red blood cell extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs), their

Wolf was the first to discover small procoagulant structures derived from activated platelets in human blood and named them "platelet dust" in 1967. He separated the small structures by ultracentrifugation and further characterized them using an

Applications of Red Blood Cell

This chapter focuses on the biology of red blood cell extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs) in normal and diseased conditions, and the potential application of RBCEVs in treatment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) refer to membranous vesicles secreted by cells into the extracellular environment. EV biology belongs to a rapidly developing field in biomedical sciences. EVs represent a natural mode of cell-to-cell communication, which makes them suitable for delivery of therapeutic agents, such as nucleic acids and proteins, in the body. In particular, RBCEVs feature a wide range of benefits in drug delivery as compared to extracellular vesicles derived from other cell types. In comparison to other delivery systems currently available, RBCEVs are nontoxic, low immunogenic, conveniently obtainable, and easy to use and store. Therefore, RBCEVs boast promising and exceptional advantages in

**Chapter 8**
