Research on extracellular vesicles including exosomes, microvesicles, and their roles in intercellular communication and disease

Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Biology

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in cancer biology, particularly in the modulation of tumor microenvironments and the regulation of cellular functions. One study highlights how the extracellular matrix (ECM) influences the biogenesis of EVs, suggesting that cellular feedback from the ECM is crucial for the control of EV production (ref: Debnath doi.org/10.1038/s41578-023-00551-3/). Another research reveals a mitochondrial NADPH-cholesterol axis that regulates EV biogenesis, essential for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) fate and homeostasis, indicating that mitochondrial metabolism is a key player in HSC self-renewal (ref: Bonora doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2024.02.004/). Additionally, studies have shown that cancer-derived exosomes can promote angiogenesis and immune suppression, with specific long non-coding RNAs like TRPM2-AS and circRNA_0013936 being implicated in these processes (ref: He doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01979-z/; ref: Shi doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01968-2/). The role of exosomes in promoting tumor progression and metastasis is further emphasized by findings that exosomal circATP8A1 induces macrophage M2 polarization, enhancing gastric cancer progression (ref: Deng doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01966-4/). Overall, these studies underscore the multifaceted roles of EVs in cancer biology, from influencing tumor growth to modulating immune responses.

Extracellular Vesicles and Immune Modulation

The interplay between extracellular vesicles (EVs) and immune modulation is a burgeoning area of research, particularly in cancer therapy. One study demonstrates that dendritic polymer-based nanomedicines can remodel the tumor stroma, enhancing drug penetration and antitumor immune responses through the use of apoptotic vesicles (ref: Zhang doi.org/10.1002/adma.202401304/). This highlights the potential of engineered EVs in improving therapeutic outcomes. Conversely, bladder cancer-derived exosomal circRNA_0013936 has been shown to promote immune suppression by modulating fatty acid transporter protein 2 and receptor-interacting protein kinase 3 in myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), indicating a mechanism by which tumors evade immune detection (ref: Shi doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01968-2/). Additionally, the use of sonodynamic therapy has been linked to increased exosome levels, which may facilitate tumor metastasis, suggesting that while EVs can enhance therapy, they can also contribute to immune evasion (ref: Wu doi.org/10.1002/adma.202400762/). These findings illustrate the dual role of EVs in cancer, serving both as therapeutic agents and as mediators of immune suppression.

Extracellular Vesicles in Disease Mechanisms

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in various disease mechanisms, particularly in cancer and inflammatory conditions. A study introduced a universal STING mimic that activates tumor control signaling pathways, independent of endogenous STING expression, thereby enhancing antitumor immunity (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01624-2/). This suggests that EVs can be engineered to enhance immune responses against tumors. Furthermore, research has identified hypoxic exosomal circPLEKHM1 as a key player in lung cancer metastasis, promoting macrophage polarization towards an M2 phenotype, which is associated with tumor progression (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/advs.202309857/). Additionally, the role of EVs in mediating inflammatory responses is underscored by findings that mesenchymal stem cells can alleviate liver fibrosis by inhibiting intrahepatic B cell function through exosomal signaling (ref: Feng doi.org/10.1097/HEP.0000000000000831/). Collectively, these studies highlight the critical involvement of EVs in disease mechanisms, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets.

Engineering and Therapeutic Applications of Extracellular Vesicles

The engineering of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for therapeutic applications is a rapidly evolving field, with significant implications for drug delivery and regenerative medicine. One study emphasizes the development of engineered EVs that facilitate the efficient delivery of intracellular therapeutic proteins, addressing challenges in biocompatibility and stability (ref: Ma doi.org/10.1093/procel/). This advancement is crucial for enhancing the efficacy of protein-based therapeutics. Additionally, thread-structural microneedles loaded with engineered exosomes have been proposed for annulus fibrosus repair, showcasing the potential of EVs in tissue regeneration by regulating mitophagy and extracellular matrix homeostasis (ref: Hu doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.006/). Furthermore, tumor exosomal ENPP1 has been identified as a critical factor in inhibiting the cGAS-STING pathway, highlighting the need for targeted therapies that can overcome tumor-mediated immune evasion (ref: An doi.org/10.1002/advs.202308131/). These studies illustrate the innovative strategies being developed to harness EVs for therapeutic purposes, paving the way for novel treatment modalities.

Extracellular Vesicles in Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, serving as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Research has shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can alleviate liver fibrosis by modulating intrahepatic B cell function through exosomal signaling, thereby reducing inflammation and promoting tissue repair (ref: Feng doi.org/10.1097/HEP.0000000000000831/). This highlights the potential of MSC-derived EVs in treating metabolic disorders. Additionally, studies have explored the use of immunomagnetic exosomal PCR for the sensitive detection of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in blood, indicating the utility of EVs in diagnosing neurological conditions (ref: Hu doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abm3088/). Furthermore, the role of α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease has been elucidated through blood-based neuron-derived EV assays, suggesting that EVs can provide insights into disease mechanisms and progression (ref: Kluge doi.org/10.1002/ana.26917/). Collectively, these findings underscore the importance of EVs in understanding and potentially treating metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Extracellular Vesicles in Stem Cell Research

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal in stem cell research, particularly in understanding their therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action. One study highlights the use of engineered EVs to enhance drug delivery systems, which is crucial for the development of effective stem cell therapies (ref: Ma doi.org/10.1093/procel/). Additionally, thread-structural microneedles loaded with engineered exosomes have been shown to regulate mitophagy recovery and extracellular matrix homeostasis, providing a novel approach for annulus fibrosus repair in intervertebral disc degeneration (ref: Hu doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2024.03.006/). Furthermore, the role of EVs in immune modulation has been emphasized, with findings indicating that MSCs can inhibit pathogenic B cell functions through exosomal signaling, thereby enhancing therapeutic outcomes in various diseases (ref: Feng doi.org/10.1097/HEP.0000000000000831/). These studies collectively illustrate the transformative potential of EVs in stem cell research, offering new avenues for therapeutic applications.

Extracellular Vesicles in Neurological Disorders

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as critical players in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, particularly in their roles as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. Recent advancements have led to the development of an immunomagnetic exosomal PCR platform for the sensitive detection of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in blood, which could significantly enhance diagnostic capabilities (ref: Hu doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abm3088/). Additionally, research into α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease has revealed the potential of neuron-derived EVs as biomarkers for early detection and understanding disease mechanisms (ref: Kluge doi.org/10.1002/ana.26917/). Furthermore, the adaptation of prescribing criteria for amyloid-targeted antibodies for adults with Down syndrome highlights the need for inclusive approaches in treating neurological disorders, as this population often experiences dementia at a younger age (ref: Hillerstrom doi.org/10.1002/alz.13778/). These findings underscore the importance of EVs in advancing our understanding and treatment of neurological disorders.

Key Highlights

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in cancer biology, influencing tumor growth and immune responses, ref: Debnath doi.org/10.1038/s41578-023-00551-3/
  • A mitochondrial NADPH-cholesterol axis regulates EV biogenesis, crucial for hematopoietic stem cell fate, ref: Bonora doi.org/10.1016/j.stem.2024.02.004/
  • Bladder cancer-derived exosomal circRNA_0013936 promotes immune suppression, highlighting the dual role of EVs in cancer, ref: Shi doi.org/10.1186/s12943-024-01968-2/
  • Engineered EVs enhance drug delivery systems, crucial for the development of effective stem cell therapies, ref: Ma doi.org/10.1093/procel/
  • Immunomagnetic exosomal PCR enables sensitive detection of Alzheimer's disease biomarkers, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, ref: Hu doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abm3088/
  • Tumor exosomal ENPP1 inhibits the cGAS-STING pathway, elucidating mechanisms of immune evasion in cancer, ref: An doi.org/10.1002/advs.202308131/
  • Mesenchymal stem cells alleviate liver fibrosis by inhibiting intrahepatic B cell function through exosomal signaling, ref: Feng doi.org/10.1097/HEP.0000000000000831/
  • Hypoxic exosomal circPLEKHM1 drives lung cancer metastasis by polarizing macrophages, indicating the role of EVs in intercellular communication, ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/advs.202309857/

Disclaimer: This is an AI-generated summarization. Please refer to the cited articles before making any clinical or scientific decisions.