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Optimizing milk-derived exosome carriers through systematic cationic material screening for efficient pulmonary-targeted mRNA delivery
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Mingxing LUO1, Rui LIAO1, Shan GUAN1, Weijun ZHANG1, Ping LUO1, Yi ZHANG1, Ping CHENG1, Yang LI2, Quanming ZOU1
Journal of Army Medical University | 2026, 48(4) : 407 - 419
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Journal of Army Medical University | 2026, 48(4): 407-419
• Basic Medicine •
Optimizing milk-derived exosome carriers through systematic cationic material screening for efficient pulmonary-targeted mRNA delivery
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Mingxing LUO1, Rui LIAO1, Shan GUAN1, Weijun ZHANG1, Ping LUO1, Yi ZHANG1, Ping CHENG1, Yang LI2, Quanming ZOU1
Affiliations
  • 1Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
  • 2Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
Published: 2026-02-28 doi: 10.16016/j.2097-0927.202511021
Outline
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Objective

To construct an engineered milk-derived exosome (mExos) vector for efficient messenger RNA (mRNA) delivery to the respiratory tract by systematically screening cationic modification materials.

Methods

mExos were isolated via ultracentrifugation, followed by electroporation-mediated loading of firefly luciferase (Fluc) or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) mRNA. Chitosan (CS), polyethyleneimine (PEI), poly(beta-amino ester) (PBAE), cationic lipid (DOTAP), and protamine were used to modify mRNA-loaded mExos. Dynamic light scattering, nanoparticle tracking analysis, flow cytometry and luciferase reporter assay were employed to evaluate particle size, zeta potential, colloidal stability, cellular uptake, transfection efficiency, and cytotoxicity. Fifty female BALB/c mice (6 to 8 weeks, about 20 g) received intranasal administration of dye-labeled or Fluc-mRNA-loaded formulations. In vivo distribution and pulmonary transfection kinetics were monitored by IVIS imaging, while histopathology and serum biochemistry of major organs were analyzed at 24 h post-administration.

Results

Cationic-modified mExos were successfully constructed. CS-modified mExos (CS-mExos) demonstrated surface charge reversal while maintaining optimal size and stability (PDI unchanged within 48 h). In vitro, CS-mExos enhanced cellular uptake in 16HBE and A549 cells by 2.56-fold (P<0.001) and 4.56-fold (P<0.001), respectively, and increased Fluc-mRNA transfection efficiency by 28.9-fold (P<0.001) and 26.5-fold (P<0.001) versus unmodified mExos, with >95% cell viability. In vivo imaging revealed CS-mExos specifically accumulated in the lungs with sustained retention >72 h, mediating 9.5-fold higher peak Fluc-mRNA expression at 6 h post-administration. Histopathology and serum biochemistry confirmed no significant organ damage or abnormal hepatic/renal indices.

Conclusion

Systematic screening identified chitosan as the optimal cationic material for engineering milk exosomes. The developed CS-mExos vector enables efficient targeted mRNA delivery to the respiratory tract with enhanced pulmonary transfection and favorable biosafety.

milk-derived exosomes  /  chitosan  /  messenger RNA  /  pulmonary administration  /  genetic therapy
罗明星, 廖睿, 关山, 张卫军, 罗萍, 张怡, 程平, 李飏, 邹全明. 通过系统性阳离子材料筛选优化牛奶外泌体载体以实现mRNA的高效肺部靶向递送. 陆军军医大学学报, 2026 , 48 (4) : 407 -419 . DOI: 10.16016/j.2097-0927.202511021
Mingxing LUO, Rui LIAO, Shan GUAN, Weijun ZHANG, Ping LUO, Yi ZHANG, Ping CHENG, Yang LI, Quanming ZOU. Optimizing milk-derived exosome carriers through systematic cationic material screening for efficient pulmonary-targeted mRNA delivery[J]. Journal of Army Medical University, 2026 , 48 (4) : 407 -419 . DOI: 10.16016/j.2097-0927.202511021
Year 2026 volume 48 Issue 4
86
35
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Article Info
doi: 10.16016/j.2097-0927.202511021
  • Receive Date:2025-11-04
  • Online Date:2026-10-23
  • Published:2026-02-28
Article Data
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History
  • Received:2025-11-04
  • Revised:2026-01-09
Affiliations
    1Faculty of Pharmacy and Laboratory Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
    2Department of Pharmacy, First Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing, China
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表12种不同金属材料的力学参数
科
Family
属数
Number of
genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of
total species (%)
属
Genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of total
species (%)
鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae 2 11 5.26 鹅膏菌属 Amanita 10 4.78
小菇科 Mycenaceae 2 12 5.74 丝盖伞属 Inocybe 5 2.39
多孔菌科 Polyporaceae 8 14 6.70 蜡蘑属 Laccaria 5 2.39
红菇科 Russulaceae 3 23 11.00 小皮伞属 Marasmius 6 2.87
小菇属 Mycena 11 5.26
光柄菇属 Pluteus 5 2.39
红菇属 Russula 17 8.13
栓菌属 Trametes 5 2.39
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