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 context of tumor progression and metastasis. One study highlights how EVs derived from prostate cancer-corrupted osteoclasts contribute to inflammatory osteolysis and tumor progression at bone metastatic sites. This research indicates that advanced-stage prostate cancer often leads to complex bone metastases characterized by both osteolytic and osteogenic lesions, with a poor prognosis reflected in a 5-year survival rate of only 30% (ref: Tamura doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70091/). Another study introduces a novel therapeutic approach using metabolically engineered EVs released from a composite hydrogel delivery system, which effectively regulates the microenvironment for treating periprosthetic osteolysis, a common complication in joint arthroplasty (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70098/). Additionally, engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs have shown promise in reversing endothelial-mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis, indicating their potential utility beyond cancer (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/). Furthermore, proteomic analysis of tumor-derived EVs has improved diagnostic accuracy for recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer, identifying 26 candidate biomarkers that differentiate cancer patients from healthy controls (ref: Hyon doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70089/). Lastly, bacterial EVs have been shown to exploit cellular mechanisms to reach host cells, suggesting a complex interplay between microbial and host cellular responses (ref: Rehman doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70107/).

Extracellular Vesicles in Immune Modulation

The role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in immune modulation is increasingly recognized, particularly in the context of transplant immunology. A pivotal study demonstrated that small EVs relay graft allo-antigens to follicular dendritic cells, activating complement pathways and thereby fostering B cell alloimmunity, which is crucial for understanding transplant rejection mechanisms (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115832/). This finding underscores the importance of EVs in mediating immune responses and highlights their potential as therapeutic targets. Additionally, the previously mentioned engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs also play a role in reversing endothelial-mesenchymal transition, which is relevant to atherosclerosis and immune modulation (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/). The diagnostic utility of tumor-derived EVs in breast cancer further emphasizes the multifaceted roles of EVs, as they not only serve as biomarkers but may also influence immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (ref: Hyon doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70089/). Bacterial EVs, on the other hand, demonstrate how microbial-derived vesicles can modulate host immune responses, showcasing the diverse origins and functions of EVs in immune modulation (ref: Rehman doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70107/).

Extracellular Vesicles in Neurological Disorders

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as critical players in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders. A study focusing on Alzheimer's disease (AD) highlights the potential of blood-derived EVs as biomarkers for early diagnosis. The research presents a novel label-free bioelectronic platform that enables the ultrasensitive detection of multiple EV biomarkers, including amyloid-beta, which is crucial for AD diagnosis (ref: Zheng doi.org/10.1002/adma.202505262/). This advancement in detection technology could significantly enhance early intervention strategies. Additionally, the role of EVs in muscle weakness post-radiotherapy has been explored, revealing that cancer cells secrete spermidine synthase via EVs, contributing to skeletal muscle weakness (ref: Zhang doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2025.05.013/). This finding underscores the systemic effects of cancer and its treatments on muscle health, mediated through EVs. Moreover, the previously discussed engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs also demonstrate therapeutic potential in reversing endothelial-mesenchymal transition, which may have implications for vascular health in neurological contexts (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/).

Extracellular Vesicles in Metabolic Regulation

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in metabolic regulation, particularly in conditions such as obesity and atherosclerosis. Research indicates that engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs can reverse endothelial-mesenchymal transition, a process implicated in atherosclerosis, suggesting their potential as therapeutic agents in metabolic diseases (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/). Additionally, the diagnostic utility of tumor-derived EVs in breast cancer highlights their role in metabolic signaling within the tumor microenvironment, as these vesicles can carry metabolic information that influences cancer progression (ref: Hyon doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70089/). Furthermore, the study on periprosthetic osteolysis treatment using metabolically engineered EVs demonstrates their capacity to regulate the microenvironment, which is crucial for maintaining metabolic homeostasis around implants (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70098/). These findings collectively emphasize the diverse functions of EVs in metabolic regulation and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Extracellular Vesicles in Regenerative Medicine

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are gaining traction in regenerative medicine due to their ability to mediate cellular communication and promote tissue repair. One study highlights the role of synovial fibroblast-derived EVs in rheumatoid arthritis, where they promote apoptosis in articular chondrocytes, exacerbating cartilage damage (ref: Zhang doi.org/10.1038/s41413-025-00430-3/). This finding underscores the dual role of EVs in both promoting and inhibiting tissue regeneration, depending on their origin and content. Another significant study focuses on the use of antagomiR-192-5p-engineered exosomes encapsulated in a hydrogel to facilitate the epithelization of burn wounds, demonstrating the potential of EVs in enhancing wound healing processes (ref: Liu doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2025.06.013/). Additionally, the application of metabolically engineered EVs in periprosthetic osteolysis treatment showcases their ability to regulate the microenvironment, further emphasizing their therapeutic potential in regenerative contexts (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70098/). Collectively, these studies illustrate the promise of EVs in advancing regenerative medicine strategies.

Extracellular Vesicles in Infectious Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in infectious diseases, particularly in mediating host-pathogen interactions. Engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs have been shown to reverse endothelial-mesenchymal transition, which is relevant in the context of atherosclerosis and may also influence susceptibility to infections (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/). Furthermore, the diagnostic utility of tumor-derived EVs in breast cancer highlights their potential role in modulating immune responses during infections, as these vesicles can carry immunomodulatory molecules (ref: Hyon doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70089/). The study on bacterial EVs reveals how these vesicles exploit cellular mechanisms to reach host cells, suggesting a complex interplay between microbial EVs and host immune responses (ref: Rehman doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70107/). Additionally, the impact of EVs on metabolic regulation in infectious contexts is underscored by the findings related to periprosthetic osteolysis treatment, where EVs derived from metabolically engineered stem cells regulate the microenvironment (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70098/). These insights collectively highlight the multifaceted roles of EVs in infectious diseases.

Extracellular Vesicles in Cardiovascular Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are pivotal in cardiovascular diseases, particularly in the context of atherosclerosis and endothelial function. Engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs have been shown to reverse endothelial-mesenchymal transition, a critical process in atherosclerosis progression, indicating their therapeutic potential (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/). Additionally, the diagnostic utility of tumor-derived EVs in breast cancer emphasizes their role in cardiovascular health, as these vesicles can influence systemic inflammation and vascular function (ref: Hyon doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70089/). The study on prostate cancer-corrupted osteoclasts reveals how EVs drive inflammatory osteolysis, which can have downstream effects on cardiovascular health, particularly in patients with bone metastases (ref: Tamura doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70091/). Furthermore, the application of metabolically engineered EVs in periprosthetic osteolysis treatment showcases their ability to regulate the microenvironment, which is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health around implants (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70098/). These findings collectively underscore the importance of EVs in cardiovascular disease mechanisms and their potential as therapeutic targets.

Extracellular Vesicles in Environmental Toxicology

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are increasingly recognized for their roles in environmental toxicology, particularly in the context of nanoplastics and gut microbiome interactions. A study investigating polystyrene nanoplastics reveals that they disrupt the intestinal microenvironment by altering bacteria-host interactions through EV-delivered microRNAs, compromising intestinal barrier function (ref: Hsu doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59884-y/). This finding highlights the potential health risks posed by environmental pollutants and their mechanisms of action via EVs. Additionally, research on EVs produced by gut methanogenic archaea provides insights into the biogenesis of EVs in response to environmental factors, suggesting that these vesicles may play roles in microbial interactions and host responses (ref: Baquero doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60272-9/). Furthermore, proteomic and metabolomic profiling of EVs from gut archaea indicates their potential roles in mediating interactions with other gut microbes and the host, emphasizing the need for further research in this area (ref: Weinberger doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60271-w/). Collectively, these studies illustrate the complex interplay between EVs, environmental factors, and health outcomes.

Key Highlights

  • Extracellular vesicles from prostate cancer-corrupted osteoclasts drive inflammatory osteolysis and tumor progression (ref: Tamura doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70091/)
  • Engineered mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs reverse endothelial-mesenchymal transition in atherosclerosis, indicating therapeutic potential (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70099/)
  • Tumor-derived EVs improve diagnostic accuracy for recurrence in triple-negative breast cancer, identifying 26 candidate biomarkers (ref: Hyon doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70089/)
  • Small EVs relay graft allo-antigens to follicular dendritic cells, fostering B cell alloimmunity in transplant rejection (ref: Chen doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115832/)
  • Blood EVs hold promise as biomarkers for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease using a novel label-free bioelectronic platform (ref: Zheng doi.org/10.1002/adma.202505262/)
  • Polystyrene nanoplastics disrupt the intestinal microenvironment through EV-delivered microRNAs, compromising barrier function (ref: Hsu doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59884-y/)
  • Synovial fibroblast-derived EVs promote chondrocyte apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis, exacerbating cartilage damage (ref: Zhang doi.org/10.1038/s41413-025-00430-3/)
  • Metabolically engineered EVs regulate the microenvironment for periprosthetic osteolysis treatment, showcasing their therapeutic potential (ref: Wang doi.org/10.1002/jev2.70098/)

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