Exosome as bioactive nanovesicle for diagnostic and therapeutic applications in periodontitis

Abstract Periodontitis is a common and frequent oral disease which is characterized by persistent loss of periodontal supportive tissue and seriously affects the physical and psychological health. Existing clinical diagnostic indicators are incapable of accurately diagnosing periodontitis patients at an early stage, while traditional treatment methods are unable to promote the periodontal bone regeneration stably. It is vital to explore more sensitive methods for aided diagnosis and precise treatment to improve clinical efficacy. Exosomes are nano‐sized extracellular vesicles that are produced by all kinds of cells. In recent years, many studies have revealed that exosomes are abundant in complex biogenetic materials that participate in cell signaling, immunomodulation, and tissue regeneration. Furthermore, their enormous potential in disease diagnosis and treatment is gradually explored. Here, we review the current impact of exosomes on the development and progression of periodontitis. We briefly describe some studies that discovered that the amount and component of exosomes are altered during the pathogenesis of periodontitis, demonstrating their potential as indicators for aided diagnosis. We also categorize the application of various cell and plant‐derived exosomes, as well as the research progress of some novel engineered exosomes, which provides some new directions for designing personalized therapeutic strategies for periodontitis patients.