Focus on Hot Topics of National Natural Science Foundation of China | Exosomes + miRNAs: Unlocking the Codes of Biological Communication, a Comprehensive Guide to Research Tools

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July 09, 2026

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In the cutting-edge track of life science research, there are always certain "golden combinations" dominating the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project list, among which the pairing of exosomes and miRNAs stands out prominently. From basic research to clinical translation, these two "messengers of life" can be found everywhere. The release of the 2023 MISEV Guidelines has further pushed relevant research into a new era of standardization and precision. Today, we conduct an in-depth analysis of this hot research topic, and deliver a full-process research solution for your reference.

Figure 1 Applications of EVs in various diseases

I. Analysis of NSFC Research Hotspot: Why Are Exosome + miRNA Combinations Extremely Popular?

The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2013 and 2024 were awarded for breakthrough studies on extracellular vesicles (EVs) and miRNAs respectively. The two substances are closely linked and can be described as a "Nobel Prize-level matched set" — If exosomes are regarded as precise couriers shuttling inside organisms, miRNAs are the core cargo carrying life regulatory instructions within these deliveries.

Figure 2 In 2013, the regulatory mechanism of intracellular vesicle trafficking won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

In 2024, miRNAs and their post-transcriptional gene regulation were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

In recent years, research directions centered on exosomes & miRNAs have been continuously expanded. Spanning basic mechanisms to clinical transformation, multiple fields have become key funding priorities of NSFC:

▶ Cross-kingdom Regulatory Mechanisms: Recent research led by Dr. Feng Cui’s team at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences revealed that rice-derived exosomes can deliver miRNAs into Laodelphax striatellus, targeting viral and insect genes to regulate viral transmission homeostasis. Studies on such interspecies cell-cell communication have emerged as a new frontier in fundamental research.

▶ Biomarkers for Disease Diagnosis and Prognosis: Exosome-encapsulated miRNAs exhibit tissue specificity and remain stable in biofluids including blood, saliva and urine. They hold great potential for early diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of cancers, cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and more. For instance, aberrantly expressed miR-21, let-7 and other miRNAs are stably circulated within the bloodstream via exosomes, making them ideal targets for non-invasive diagnosis.

▶ Targeted Therapeutic Vectors: As natural delivery carriers for miRNAs, exosomes protect miRNAs from nuclease degradation. Meanwhile, surface integrins, tetraspanins and other surface proteins enable accurate targeted delivery, resolving the stability and targeting bottlenecks restricting miRNA drug development. They represent the leading edge of current gene therapy research.

II. Research Standardization: Core Interpretation of the MISEV2023 Guidelines

With the rapid expansion of exosome research, experimental standardization and reproducibility have become critical concerns. In 2023, the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) released the updated MISEV2023 Guidelines, delivering comprehensive operational specifications for EV research.

Figure 3 MISEV2023 Guidelines

Its core key points are summarized as follows:

1. Clarified Nomenclature Standards: Distinguish extracellular vesicles (EVs) from non-vesicular extracellular particles to eliminate conceptual confusion and unify research terminology.

Extracellular vesicle (EV) refers generically to nanoscale lipid bilayer vesicles secreted by viable cells into the extracellular space, which are incapable of self-replication and lack functional cell nuclei. MISEV2023 recommends adopting the universal term "EV" to denote all vesicle subpopulations, or categorize EV subtypes based on physical and chemical properties such as size and density.

EP: Extracellular Particles; EV: Extracellular Vesicles; SV: Synthetic Vesicles; ACDV: Artificial Cell-Derived Vesicles; NVEP: Non-Vesicular Extracellular Particles

Figure 3 Hierarchical Nomenclature Schematic of Extracellular Particles

2. Optimized Sample Processing: Detailed standardized protocols for collection and preprocessing of diverse sample sources (cell culture supernatants, biofluids, solid tissues, etc.), emphasizing the impact of pre-analytical variables on experimental readouts.

3. Rigorous Isolation and Characterization Requirements:Combined multiple isolation and concentration methods are recommended for exosome preparation. Meanwhile, multi-dimensional characterization is mandatory rather than single marker detection: identification must cover morphology (TEM), particle size distribution (NTA), and canonical surface protein markers (CD9, CD63, CD81, etc.) to guarantee authentic research objects.

Ultracentrifugation (UC): Classic universal method yet prone to co-precipitation of impurities; Density Gradient: High purity with low yield;

Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC): Gentle and highly reproducible; Immunocapture & Microfluidics: High precision and high throughput

Figure 4 Schematic of Partial EV Isolation & Concentration Approaches

At least one protein marker from Category 1, 2 and 3 shall be analyzed to assess the presence of NVEPs in EV preparations

Figure 5 EV Characterization Based on Protein Profiling

4. Newly Added Chapter for Functional Research:Supplementary content covering EV biogenesis, uptake mechanisms and in vivo experimental methodologies, providing standardized guidance for functional validation assays.

The core objective of MISEV2023 is not to erect research barriers, but to enhance experimental rigor and reproducibility through standardized workflows, facilitating the translational progression of exosome research from basic laboratory work to clinical applications.

III. Absin Full-Process Research Portfolio: One-Stop Support from Cell Culture to Quantitative Analysis

Exosome + miRNA research workflows are highly complex, covering cell culture, exosome purification, nucleic acid extraction, modification & characterization, quantitative profiling and other critical steps. Experimental quality at every stage directly determines research outcomes. To address these core experimental demands, Absin has launched a full-series product portfolio (https://www.absin.net/Exosomes%20research.html) to underpin your research projects:

1. Cell Culture:Exosome-depleted Fetal Bovine Serum (abs993), Exosome-Specific Serum-Free Medium (abs9430), Exosome-Specific Serum-Free Medium (Supplemented with Growth Factors) (abs9774) are supplied to effectively reduce background contamination and guarantee high-quality exosome secretion.

2. Exosome Purification:Diversified purification products including Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) Columns (Exosome Purification Kit (SEC), abs9777), Precipitation & Filtration kits (Cell Supernatant Exosome Extraction Kit, abs50040) are available for selection according to sample volume and experimental schemes, enabling efficient, mild separation while preserving native biological activity of exosomes.

3. Exosome Identification & Quantification:Multi-dimensional detection covering morphology, particle size and canonical surface protein markers (Rabbit anti-CD9 Polyclonal Antibody, abs145771etc.) achieves precise characterization of exosomal morphology, particle size and marker expression. Additionally, Absin provides sandwich ELISA kits for quantitative detection of exosomes (abs50054).

4. Nucleic Acid Extraction:Specialized extraction kits (Exosome RNA Extraction Kit, abs60263, etc.) are developed for exosomal miRNA/RNA/DNA isolation, efficiently enriching target nucleic acids and eliminating impurity interference to meet downstream detection requirements. A full panel of miRNA quantitative detection kits is also provided.

5. Exosome Functional Research:In vitro labeling or in vivo live imaging of isolated exosomes facilitates further functional exploration. Fluorescent labeling remains the most widely adopted method by researchers due to simple operation. Absin supplies a complete set of exosome labeling fluorophores including DiR(abs45153692), DiI(abs42002237), DiO(abs45153674), DiD(abs47048165), etc.

6. Engineered Exosome Modification: Specific modification and remodeling of exosomes to confer cell and tissue targeting specificity. Exosome Surface Modification Kit (SA Enzyme), Cat. No.: abs50066. Under catalysis of SA enzyme, peptides or target proteins can be covalently conjugated onto exosome surface.

Absin Full-Process Exosome Research Products (Validated in Hundreds of Publications)

Category	Cat. No.	Product Name	Specifications
Cell Culture	abs993	Exosome-Depleted Fetal Bovine Serum	50mL
	abs9430	Exosome-Specific Serum-Free Medium	500mL
	abs9774	Exosome-Specific Serum-Free Medium (With Growth Factors)	500mL
Ready-to-Use EV Standards	abs90118	HEK293 Extracellular Vesicle Standard	1mL
	abs90119	MSC Extracellular Vesicle Standard	1mL
	abs90120	Human Embryonic Kidney 293T Cell-Derived EVs	1mL
	abs90121	Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes	1mL
	abs90122	Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Exosomes	1mL
	abs90123	Human Cervical Cancer HeLa Cell-Derived EVs	1mL
Exosome Purification Kits	abs50039	Plasma & Serum Exosome Extraction Kit	20T
	abs50040	Cell Supernatant Exosome Extraction Kit	20T
	abs9775	General Exosome Extraction Kit	1mL
	abs9777	Exosome Purification Kit (SEC)	1mL
Exosome Sample Pretreatment	abs9776	2× Exosome Storage Solution	50mL
Exosome Sample Pretreatment	abs9587	Exosome-Specific Lysis Buffer	20mL
Exosome Characterization & Quantification	abs145771	Rabbit anti-CD9 Polyclonal Antibody	100μL
	abs159125	Rabbit anti-CD63 Monoclonal Antibody (4G3)	100μL
	abs159270	Rabbit anti-CD81 Monoclonal Antibody (3D6)	100μL
	abs50054	Exosome Quantitative Detection ELISA Kit	96T
Exosome Modification & Fluorescent Labeling	abs50066	Exosome Surface Modification Kit (SA Enzyme)	20μg
	abs42002237	DiI Perchlorate	100mg
	abs45153674	DiO Perchlorate	25mg/100mg
	abs45153692	DiR Iodide	5mg/25mg/100mg
	abs47048165	DiD Chlorobenzenesulfonate	10mg/50mg
Exosomal Nucleic Acid Extraction	abs60364	Exosome DNA Extraction Kit	50T/100T
	abs60263	Exosome RNA Extraction Kit	50T/100T
	abs60565	Exosome miRNA Extraction Kit	50T/100T
miRNA Quantification Assays	abs60265	miRNA Poly(A) Tailing Reverse Transcription Kit	20T/40T
	abs60266	Plasma miRNA Poly(A) Tailing Reverse Transcription Kit	25T/50T
	abs60271	miRNA Poly(A) Tailing Dye-Based qPCR Kit	200T/300T/400T
	abs60269	miRNA Stem-Loop Reverse Transcription Kit	25T/50T
	abs60270	miRNA Stem-Loop Dye-Based qPCR Kit	200T/400T
	abs60267	miRNA Probe-Based Reverse Transcription Kit	20T/40T
	abs60268	Plasma miRNA Probe-Based Reverse Transcription Kit	20T/40T
	abs60272	miRNA Probe-Based qPCR Reagents	100T/200T/400T

Literature Validation

abs993: J Control Release. 2024 Aug;372:531-550. doi: 10.1016/j.jconrel. IF: 10.5

abs45153692: Mol Cancer. 2024 Dec 6;23(1):270. doi: 10.1186/s12943-024-02184-8. IF: 33.9

abs60263: J Agric Food Chem. 2023 Oct 11;71(40):14742-14757. doi:10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03350. IF: 6.1

abs47048165: J Control Release.2025 Jun 10;382:113737. doi:10.1016/j.jconrel.2025.113737. IF: 10.5

abs50054: Materials & Design. May 2024. DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112969. IF:7.6

References:

1. Clinical applications of extracellular vesicles: recent advances and emerging trends. Front Bioeng Biotechnol. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1671963.
2. J Extracell Vesicles. 2024 Feb;13(2):e12404. doi: 10.1002/jev2.12404.

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