Exosomes for the diagnosis and treatment of dementia

Abstract

Purpose of reviewDementia is a syndrome with several possible pathologies. To date, definitive methods for diagnosis and treatment of sub-types of dementia have not been established. Emerging evidence suggests that exosomes can provide important information for the diagnosis and treatment of several subtypes of dementia. This article reviews recent studies on the application of exosomes in dementia.Recent findingsExosomes are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) through transporting toxic proteins such as amyloid beta (Aβ), tau, and α-synuclein. Exosomal microRNAs (miR) and proteins reflect the disease state, and therefore, exosomes can be used as diagnostic markers for diseases such as AD, PD, Huntington's disease (HD), vascular dementia (VaD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have been shown to ameliorate disease pathology, and improve cognitive function in AD, PD, and VAD.SummaryRecent studies have shown that exosomes could be novel diagnostic agents for dementia because they contain molecules that could be potential biomarker candidates indicative of the type and stage of dementia. Therapeutic application of exosomes in dementia has revealed that exosomes only, or exosomes loaded with an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), ameliorate disease phenotype of dementia. Further work is needed to exploit this potential.

Emerging role of mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles in vascular dementia

“…Consequently, the investigation of MSC-EVs is of significant interest. MSC-EVs not only contain abundant bioactive molecules but also function as vital mediums for information transfer between cells ( Joo et al, 2023 ). They are believed to have a central role in VD diagnosis and treatment; for instance, MSC-EVs can deliver neuroprotective factors that encourage neuronal survival and repair, thus reducing neuronal damage and VD severity ( Ma et al, 2022 ).…”

“…There is a growing interest in EVs as potential diagnostic agents reflecting disease states ( Joo et al, 2023 ). MSC-EVs carry a plethora of bioactive molecules, which may serve as potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.…”

Exosome as a crucial communicator between tumor microenvironment and gastric cancer (Review)

“…However, achieving this precision in exosome detection remains a challenging task and demands extensive investigative efforts. Research indicates that exosomes derived from MSCs possess immense potential for mitigating disease pathologies and enhancing cognitive function in patients with conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and vascular dementia (92). Prospective studies must further explore the concentration of exosomes, establish a specific diagnostic threshold and define the applicable range of pertinent markers to facilitate a more precise foundation for clinical diagnosis.…”

Blood–brain barrier disruption in dementia: Nano‐solutions as new treatment options

“…Additionally, in mouse models, Alvarez‐Erviti et al demonstrated RVG‐targeted exosomes were able to deliver GAPDH siRNA specifically to neurons, microglia and oligodendrocytes with significant knockdown of BACE1 , a target for AD (Alvarez‐Erviti et al, 2011). There has also been recent success in the use of mesenchymal stem cell‐derived exosomes and their ability to ameliorate pathology and improve cognitive function in VAD and AD (Joo et al, 2023; Wang et al, 2023). This potential use of exosomes to deliver therapeutics across the BBB could open new CNS treatment options, if properly explored.…”