Blood Cell-Derived Microvesicles in Hematological Diseases and beyond

Abstract

Microvesicles or ectosomes represent a major type of extracellular vesicles that are formed by outward budding of the plasma membrane. Typically, they are bigger than exosomes but smaller than apoptotic vesicles, although they may overlap with both in size and content. Their release by cells is a means to dispose redundant, damaged, or dangerous material; to repair membrane lesions; and, primarily, to mediate intercellular communication. By participating in these vital activities, microvesicles may impact a wide array of cell processes and, consequently, changes in their concentration or components have been associated with several pathologies. Of note, microvesicles released by leukocytes, red blood cells, and platelets, which constitute the vast majority of plasma microvesicles, change under a plethora of diseases affecting not only the hematological, but also the nervous, cardiovascular, and urinary systems, among others. In fact, there is evidence that microvesicles released by blood cells are significant contributors towards pathophysiological states, having inflammatory and/or coagulation and/or immunomodulatory arms, by either promoting or inhibiting the relative disease phenotypes. Consequently, even though microvesicles are typically considered to have adverse links with disease prognosis, progression, or outcomes, not infrequently, they exert protective roles in the affected cells. Based on these functional relations, microvesicles might represent promising disease biomarkers with diagnostic, monitoring, and therapeutic applications, equally to the more thoroughly studied exosomes. In the current review, we provide a summary of the features of microvesicles released by blood cells and their potential implication in hematological and non-hematological diseases.

Challenges and Opportunities for Extracellular Vesicles in Clinical Oncology Therapy

“…Almost all eukaryotic cells including erythrocytes and platelets, are capable of releasing MPs. The mechanisms of MP production and release and their biological functions have been intensively studied [ 41 , 42 ]. MP release from nucleated cells usually occurs during activation or early apoptosis as well as due to cell differentiation, stress, senescence, stimulation by external cytokines or shear forces, ATP (adenosine triphosphate) treatment, apoptosis, microenvironmental changes, hypoxia, and malignancy.…”

The Magic of Proteases: From a Procoagulant and Anticoagulant Factor V to an Equitable Treatment of Its Inherited Deficiency

“…Recent cell-based theories, together with groundbreaking findings involving extracellular vesicles (EV), have sought to provide a holistic explanation of the intricate mechanisms inherent in in vivo coagulation. There is increasing evidence that cell- and platelet-derived EVs, which comprise microvesicles (MVs), exosomes, and apoptotic bodies, play an important role in the modulation of the coagulation cascade during hemostasis and thrombosis [ 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Oxidation reactions of cellular and acellular hemoglobins: Implications for human health

“…These experiments also confirmed that Hb mediated oxidation of band 3 triggers band 3 clustering and microparticle (MP) formation and release from mother cells. MPs are miniature RBCs containing almost all the elements of mature RBCs, including Hb (for review, see 37 ).…”