Small extracellular vesicles secreted from TGF-β1-licensed mesenchymal stromal cells reduce inflammation-associated injury following corneal alkali burn

• TGF-β1-licensed MSC-sEVs (sEVTGFβ) exhibit superior immunomodulatory effects in vitro, reducing macrophage activation and promoting Treg expansion. • Subconjunctival administration of sEVTGFβ ameliorates corneal alkali burn injury, restoring corneal thickness and reducing inflammation and fibrosis. • Licensing MSCs with TGF-β1 alters the surface marker profile of secreted sEVs, enhancing CD44, CD29, and CD73 expression. • sEVTGFβ represents a promising cell-free therapeutic strategy for ocular chemical burns, potentially overcoming limitations of corticosteroid treatments.