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

Extracellular Vesicles in Cancer Research

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as critical components in cancer research, particularly in their role as biomarkers and therapeutic agents. One significant advancement is the introduction of the Self-amplified and CRISPR-aided Operation to Profile EVs (SCOPE), which enhances the detection of mRNA in EVs from liquid biopsies, providing insights into somatic mutations and tumor recurrence (ref: Song doi.org/10.1038/s41587-024-02426-6/). This method addresses the challenges posed by the low abundance of EV mRNA, enabling more effective profiling. Additionally, tumor-derived EVs have been shown to facilitate local immune activation in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a type of cancer characterized by its heterogeneity and immunosuppressive microenvironment (ref: Peng doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c12967/). This study highlights the potential of combining chemotherapy with gene therapy to improve treatment responses in TNBC patients. Furthermore, the visualization of endothelial cell-derived EV formation under various conditions has provided insights into the mechanisms of cellular communication and stress responses in the tumor microenvironment (ref: Atkin-Smith doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52867-5/). Overall, these studies underscore the multifaceted roles of EVs in cancer biology, from serving as diagnostic tools to mediating therapeutic responses.

Extracellular Vesicles in Disease Mechanisms

The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in disease mechanisms is increasingly recognized, particularly in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. For instance, low fluid shear stress has been shown to enhance the uptake of noxious endothelial EVs, contributing to atherosclerosis by promoting an inflammatory phenotype in endothelial cells (ref: Coly doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12414/). This study reveals that the levels of EVs are significantly higher under high shear stress conditions, indicating a potential mechanism for lesion formation in areas of disturbed blood flow. Additionally, the characterization of matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBVs) has demonstrated their anti-inflammatory properties in models of periprosthetic osteolysis, suggesting a therapeutic avenue for managing inflammation associated with orthopedic implants (ref: Liao doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adn1852/). In neurodegenerative contexts, the measurement of alpha-synuclein within plasma EVs has provided a novel approach to understanding Parkinson's disease, with findings indicating a higher ratio of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein within EVs compared to total plasma (ref: Gilboa doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2408949121/). These insights into EV dynamics and their cargo highlight their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets across various disease states.

Engineering and Applications of Extracellular Vesicles

The engineering of extracellular vesicles (EVs) for therapeutic applications has gained momentum, with innovative strategies being developed to enhance their efficacy and functionality. A notable advancement is the PURE nanoplatform, which facilitates efficient electro-transfection of cells, leading to the production of high-quality EVs loaded with functional RNAs (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c04730/). This platform addresses the challenges of conventional EV engineering methods, which often struggle with payload delivery and microenvironment control. Moreover, the encapsulation of long circular RNAs into EVs has been achieved through novel sorting mechanisms, allowing for improved gene editing and protein replacement strategies (ref: Fang doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c07530/). Additionally, the development of snorkel-tag based affinity chromatography has enhanced the purification of recombinant EVs, enabling more precise studies of their biological functions and therapeutic potentials (ref: Bobbili doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12523/). These engineering advancements not only improve the scalability of EV production but also expand their applications in targeted drug delivery and regenerative medicine.

Extracellular Vesicles in Immune Response

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a pivotal role in modulating immune responses, particularly in cancer and inflammatory diseases. In the context of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), tumor-derived EVs have been shown to facilitate local immune activation, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents in overcoming the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (ref: Peng doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.3c12967/). This study emphasizes the need for combined therapeutic strategies to enhance treatment efficacy in TNBC. Furthermore, the impact of low fluid shear stress on the uptake of endothelial EVs has been linked to the promotion of a senescent and inflammatory phenotype, suggesting a mechanism by which endothelial cells contribute to atherosclerosis (ref: Coly doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12414/). These findings underscore the complex interactions between EVs and immune cells, revealing their dual role in both promoting and regulating immune responses in various pathological contexts.

Extracellular Vesicles and Biomarkers

The exploration of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as biomarkers has gained significant traction, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. In Huntington's disease, small RNAs in plasma EVs have been identified as potential biomarkers for premanifest changes, with findings indicating that specific EV-sRNAs are downregulated in mutation carriers, correlating with cognitive performance (ref: Herrero-Lorenzo doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12522/). This highlights the potential of EVs in early disease detection and monitoring. Additionally, the use of circulating cell-free DNA fragmentomes has shown promise in cancer treatment monitoring, with DELFI-TF scores serving as independent predictors of overall survival (ref: van 't Erve doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-53017-7/). These studies illustrate the utility of EVs in providing insights into disease progression and treatment responses, paving the way for their integration into clinical practice as reliable biomarkers.

Extracellular Vesicles in Regenerative Medicine

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their potential applications in regenerative medicine, particularly in tissue repair and immune modulation. The use of bacterial EVs, such as those derived from Escherichia coli, has shown promise as intranasal postbiotics, demonstrating the ability to modulate inflammatory responses in airway cells (ref: Razim doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70004/). This approach could provide a safer alternative to live probiotics, minimizing risks associated with systemic infections. Furthermore, the engineering of therapeutic EVs using the PURE platform has enabled the production of high-quality vesicles that can deliver functional RNAs effectively, enhancing their therapeutic potential in regenerative applications (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c04730/). Additionally, the isolation of CD63-positive epididymosomes from human semen has opened new avenues for improving sperm function, showcasing the diverse applications of EVs in reproductive health (ref: Luo doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70006/). These advancements highlight the versatility of EVs in regenerative medicine, offering innovative strategies for therapeutic interventions.

Extracellular Vesicles in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are gaining attention in the study of neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In Huntington's disease, the identification of small RNAs within plasma EVs has revealed a downregulation associated with premanifest cognitive decline, suggesting their utility in early diagnosis (ref: Herrero-Lorenzo doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12522/). This finding underscores the importance of EVs in reflecting disease progression and cognitive changes. Additionally, the measurement of alpha-synuclein within plasma EVs has provided insights into Parkinson's disease, with studies indicating a higher ratio of phosphorylated alpha-synuclein in EVs compared to total plasma (ref: Gilboa doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2408949121/). These studies highlight the potential of EVs as non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring neurodegenerative diseases, paving the way for future research into their therapeutic applications.

Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular Research

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their role in cardiovascular research, particularly in understanding disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications. Research has shown that low fluid shear stress can enhance the uptake of noxious endothelial EVs, contributing to the inflammatory processes associated with atherosclerosis (ref: Coly doi.org/10.1002/jev2.12414/). This study highlights the importance of shear stress in modulating endothelial cell behavior and EV release, which may influence cardiovascular disease progression. Additionally, the development of reliable methods for isolating small EVs from human blood has been crucial for advancing liquid biopsy applications, enabling the identification of cardiovascular biomarkers (ref: Nouvel doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70008/). These advancements underscore the potential of EVs in providing insights into cardiovascular health and disease, facilitating the discovery of novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Key Highlights

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