Extracellular vesicles targeting EGFR inhibit MAOA expression and activity by delivering curcumin for the treatment of asthma

AIMS: To investigate whether curcumin (CUR) delivered by EGFR-targeted extracellular vesicles (EVs) alleviates asthma and to explore the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ‑CP05 (EGFR‑specific affibody linked to a CD63‑binding peptide), was used to modify EVs. Therapeutic efficacy and targeting were evaluated in an ovalbumin (OVA)‑induced acute asthma mouse model. RESULTS: ‑CP05‑EVs‑CUR reduced airway inflammation, goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition, and EGFR expression. Network pharmacology combined with experimental validation identified monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) as a novel target. Treatment suppressed MAOA expression and activity, restored serotonin (5‑HT) levels, and decreased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. CONCLUSIONS: ‑CP05‑EVs mediated curcumin delivery alleviates asthma pathology by inhibiting MAOA, highlighting a promising therapeutic strategy.