Light-Controlled Small Extracellular Vesicle-Based Spherical Nucleic Acid Nanomotor for Enhanced Transdermal Delivery against Skin Aging

Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) derived from mesenchymal stem cells hold promise for anti-skin aging, yet their clinical application is hindered by poor transdermal permeability. Herein, we report an innovative light-controlled sEV-based spherical nucleic acid nanomotor (NM-ESNA). This nanosystem was composed of an sEV core and an MMP1-targeting siRNA shell, forming a 3D penetrative nanostructure. In addition, asymmetrically modified light-responsive gas-generating molecules were integrated into the nanomotor, enabling efficient dermal delivery. The light-controlled and enhanced transdermal delivery guaranteed synergistic anti-skin aging therapy through sEV-mediated paracrine effects and gene therapy targeting MMP1 in the dermis. On the basis of this deep transdermal delivery technology and the synergistic therapy strategy, NM-ESNA demonstrated outstanding anti-skin aging effects in a mouse model. This biocompatible nanosystem (NM-ESNA) enabled light-controlled and deep transdermal delivery, establishing a therapeutic platform with significant potential for sEV-based noninvasive anti-skin aging therapy.