Plant-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (PELNs) are naturally derived lipid-bilayer nanocarriers, which possess intrinsic activity to modulate oxidative stress through their diverse cargos of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and phytochemicals. Unlike conventional oxidative-stress interventions, PELNs achieve multifactorial, cargo-based redox regulation within a protective membrane that enhances bioavailability, preserves labile components, and improves cellular uptake while reducing off-target toxicity. Their low immunogenicity and inherent stability, together with the potential for surface modification and therapeutic co-loading, enable tissue-selective and sustained control of redox balance, including integration with biomaterial platforms such as hydrogels and scaffolds. This review synthesizes advances in PELN biogenesis, compositional characteristics, and isolation methods, and compares their biological and functional traits with mammalian exosomes. We propose an antioxidant/pro-oxidant dichotomy as a unifying mechanistic framework and highlight therapeutic prospects in oxidative stress–related disorders such as wound healing, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Translational considerations—including manufacturing scale-up, stability, biodistribution and biosafety—are critically discussed, alongside practical strategies to address these challenges. By linking mechanistic understanding with material-based engineering and application-oriented perspectives, this review establishes a materials-to-clinic roadmap for PELNs and positions them as promising next-generation nano-tools for precision oxidative-stress therapy.

Exosomes are lipid bilayer vesicles approximately 30–150 nm in diameter that serve as key mediators of intercellular communication. By transporting diverse bioactive molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids, they play a crucial role in tumor initiation and progression. Among their functional cargo, exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are central to epigenetic regulation and intercellular signaling, significantly influencing tumor biology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted roles of exosomal miRNAs in remodeling the tumor microenvironment (TME) and regulating cancer stem cells (CSCs). Specifically, exosomal miRNAs modulate various immune cells (such as macrophages, T cells, and NK cells) as well as cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), thereby promoting immune evasion, angiogenesis, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastatic progression. At the same time, they enhance CSC stemness, self-renewal, and therapeutic resistance, ultimately driving tumor recurrence and dissemination. Furthermore, exosome-mediated miRNA signaling acts as a critical force in malignant progression. Finally, we discuss the clinical potential of exosomal miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and vehicles for targeted drug delivery, highlighting their translational value and future directions in cancer research.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak caused a significant strain on healthcare resources and utilization worldwide. However, the impact of COVID-19 outbreak on patient hospitalization was barely known. This study aimed to determine the impact of the outbreak on the pattern of inpatient hospital admissions to help allocate health care resources during a pandemic. Methods: This retrospective study included patients who were hospitalized in a tertiary teaching hospital in Shanghai between 1 January and 30 April across the years 2017 to 2020. The number of hospitalizations during the study period from 2017 to 2020 were 30,605, 31,464, 32,812 and 24,163, respectively. Changes in patient volumes and the frequency of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problem Tenth Edition (ICD-10) codes before and after the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak were analyzed and presented as absolute and relative differences with 95% confidence intervals between periods of different years. Results: Overall inpatient hospital admissions decreased by 26.35% between January and April 2020, compared to the same period in 2019. The average age of patients in 2020 was higher compared to those from 2017 to 2019. Conversely, the proportions of self-paying patients and non-local patients were significantly lower between January and April 2020 compared to the same period in the previous three years. The top five ICD-10 codes remained common before and during the pandemic. Admissions associated with antineoplastic radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy increased in frequency and proportion by 2020 (difference, 5.6%, 95% CI: 4.4% to 6.8%), and increased proportions were observed for liver and intrahepatic bile duct malignancies (2.18%, 95% CI: 1.15% to 3.21%), cerebral infarction (2.27%, 95% CI: 0.54% to 4.00%), and chronic kidney disease (3.56%, 95% CI: 1.79% to 5.33%). Conclusions: There was a significant reduction in the number of inpatients and a marked change in admission diagnoses during the COVID-19 outbreak. Our findings are useful for making informed decisions on hospital management and reallocation of available health care resources during a pandemic.

The retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptors (RLRs) play a crucial role as pattern-recognition receptors within the innate immune system. These receptors, present in various cell and tissue types, serve as essential sensors for viral infections, enhancing the immune system’s capacity to combat infections through the induction of type I interferons (IFN-I) and inflammatory cytokines. RLRs are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, including viral infections, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. An increasing body of research has examined the possibility of RLRs or microRNAs as therapeutic targets for antiviral infections and malignancies, despite the fact that few studies have focused on the regulatory function of microRNAs on RLR signaling. Consequently, our main emphasis in this review is on elucidating the role of microRNAs in modulating the signaling pathways of RLRs in the context of cancer and viral infections. The aim is to establish a robust knowledge base that can serve as a basis for future comprehensive investigations into the interplay between microRNAs and RIG-I, while also facilitating the advancement of therapeutic drug development.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is an immune-mediated liver disease that currently faces limited treatment options. In its advanced stages, AIH can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Recent research has increasingly focused on cell-free therapies, particularly the use of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes (Exos), which have shown promise in treating autoimmune diseases, including AIH. MSC-Exos, as microvesicles with low immunogenicity, high safety, and permeability, can deliver RNA, DNA, proteins, lipids, and various drugs for disease treatment, showing promising clinical application prospects. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the current research on MSC-Exos in the treatment of autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and explores the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. It highlights the significant regulatory effects of MSC-Exos on immune cells and their ability to modify the microenvironment, demonstrating anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties while promoting liver regeneration. Additionally, this review also discusses potential challenges and future strategies for advancing Exo-based therapies in the treatment of AIH.