Practical Geriatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (4): 330-335.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1003-9198.2025.04.002

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Research progress of exosomes in elderly patients with sepsis: focus on the pathopathological characteristics and clinical challenges in the elderly

ZUO Rui, GU Shuangshuang, WANG Jun   

  1. Emergency Department, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210008, China(ZUO Rui, WANG Jun); Emergency Department, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Medical School of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China(GU Shuangshuang, WANG Jun)
  • Received:2025-03-02 Online:2025-04-20 Published:2025-04-22
  • Contact: WANG Jun,Email:wjgaogou@aliyun.com

Abstract: Sepsis remains a formidable clinical challenge in the field of critical care medicine worldwide, particularly exacerbated by the aging population due to high incidence and mortality rates. Elderly patients exhibit heightened susceptibility to sepsis and more multiple comorbidities, which synergistically amplify risks of adverse outcomes and impose substantial economic strain on healthcare systems. Therefore, focusing on the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical complexities specific to sepsis in the elderly, implementing early diagnosis and targeted interventions have important value. The exosomes play the regulatory role as intercellular communicators in sepsis-associated immune dysregulation, endothelial barrier disruption and multi-organ injury. These nanovesicles demonstrate dual potential as both novel diagnostic biomarkers and precision therapeutic vehicles for targeted drug delivery. This article reviews the distinctive pathophysiological and clinical characteristics of sepsis in the elderly patients, systematically elaborates the roles of exosomes in disease progression and clinical outcomes, and explores the promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications of exosome-based strategies, which can provide theoretical foundation to overcome current challenges in precision medicine for sepsis in the elderly.

Key words: sepsis, aged, exosomes, biomarker, diagnosis and treatment

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