Figure 2.

Naturally occurring features of EVs for targeting applications. EVs contain several surface molecules than will determine their systemic distribution and targeting to specific cell populations. Tetraspannins, glycans, fibronectin and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) composition modulate their uptake, while integrins play an important role in defining their accumulation in specific organs. Immunoregulatory molecules influence their recognition by immune cells which can have an impact on their distribution and uptake. Lipids, receptors and cell-specific proteins can also modulate the responses of target cells by activating multiple cell signaling pathways.