Cell Type-Specific Extracellular Vesicles and Their Impact on Health and Disease

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a diverse group of cell-derived exocytosed particles, are pivotal in mediating intercellular communication due to their ability to selectively transfer biomolecules to specific cell types. EVs, composed of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, are taken up by cells to affect a variety of signaling cascades. Research in the field has primarily focused on stem cell-derived EVs, with a particular focus on mesenchymal stem cells, for their potential therapeutic benefits. Recently, tissue-specific EVs or cell type-specific extracellular vesicles (CTS-EVs), have garnered attention for their unique biogenesis and molecular composition because they enable highly targeted cell-specific communication. Various studies have outlined the roles that CTS-EVs play in the signaling for physiological function and the maintenance of homeostasis, including immune modulation, tissue regeneration, and organ development. These properties are also exploited for disease propagation, such as in cancer, neurological disorders, infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, and more. The insights gained from analyzing CTS-EVs in different biological roles not only enhance our understanding of intercellular signaling and disease pathogenesis but also open new avenues for innovative diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a wide spectrum of medical conditions. This review comprehensively outlines the current understanding of CTS-EV origins, function within normal physiology, and implications in diseased states.

Exosome nanovesicles: biomarkers and new strategies for treatment of human diseases

“…These vesicles contribute to the propagation of these neurotoxic substances, leading to synaptic dysfunction and widespread neuronal damage. 60 EV derived from neurons contains amyloid‐β peptides and tau proteins. 149 During the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), pathological tau protein is distributed in exosomes released by microglia.…”

“…Similarly, it has been proven that the proteins and nucleic acids carried by EVs play a pathogenic role in infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, 160 blood diseases, and more. 60 …”

“…Exosomes, as excellent key mediators of cell communication, can not only be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of diseases, but also play an active role in drug delivery, targeted therapy, and immune regulation 60 due to their biocompatibility and protective bilayer lipid structure to protect genetic cargo from degradation, coupled with reduced immunogenicity. Because their small size and membrane composition allow them to cross the BBB, 61 they also shed new light on neurological and psychiatric disorders.…”

GFAP as Astrocyte-Derived Extracellular Vesicle Cargo in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients—A Pilot Study

“…Research in the field of EVs has primarily focused on stem cell-derived EVs. Recently, cell-type-specific EVs have garnered attention as they permit highly targeted cell-specific communication due to their molecular composition and unique biogenesis [ 43 ]. While studies profiling the cargo of different brain-derived EVs are continuously emerging, a vast minority link EV content to specific cell types within the CNS.…”