Exosomes: New Frontiers in Regenerative and Dental Medicine

Abstract A specialized subclass of extracellular vesicles, known as exosomes, has gained significant attention as key mediators of intercellular communication, influencing a wide range of physiological and pathological processes. These nanosized vesicles are actively secreted by almost all cell types and play crucial roles in transporting proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and signaling molecules between cells. This review provides an overview of the classification, molecular composition, and intricate biogenesis of exosomes, while highlighting their essential functions in immune regulation, disease progression, and therapeutic delivery. Recent advances in isolation and characterization techniques have further expanded their translational potential, particularly in fields such as oncology, regenerative medicine, and dentistry. Notably, mesenchymal stem cell–derived exosomes exhibit remarkable regenerative capacity, with promising applications in periodontal regeneration, pulp therapy, and maintaining orthodontic stability. By offering novel, cell-free strategies for diagnostics and therapeutics, exosomes represent versatile and innovative tools that could revolutionize future biomedical research and clinical practice.