Rapid Detection of Exosomal MicroRNAs Using Virus‐Mimicking Fusogenic Vesicles

Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are important biomarkers for clinical diagnosis and disease treatment monitoring. However, most approaches for exosomal miRNA detection are time-consuming, laborious, and expensive. Herein, we report a virus-mimicking fusogenic vesicle (Vir-FV) that enables rapid, efficient, and high-throughput detection of exosomal miRNAs within 2 h. Fusogenic proteins on Vir-FVs can specifically target the sialic-acid-containing receptors on exosomes, inducing efficient fusion of Vir-FVs and exosomes. Upon vesicle content mixing, the molecular beacons encapsulated in Vir-FVs specifically hybridize with the target miRNAs in the exosomes, generating fluorescence. Combined with flow cytometry, the Vir-FVs can not only detect exosomal miRNAs but also distinguish tumor exosomes from normal exosomes by sensing the tumor-related miRNAs, paving the way towards the rapid and efficient detection of exosomal miRNAs for diagnosis and prognosis prediction of diseases.