Exosomes in Food: Health Benefits and Clinical Relevance in Diseases

Abstract

Exosomes are membrane-bound organelles generally secreted by eukaryotic cells that contain mRNAs, microRNAs, and/or proteins. However, recent studies have reported the isolation of these particles from foods such as lemon, ginger, and milk. Owing to their absorption by intestinal cells and further travel via the bloodstream, exosomes can reach distant organs and affect overall health in both infants and adults. The potential role of food-derived exosomes (FDEs) in alleviating diseases, as well as in modulating the gut microbiota has been shown, but the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Moreover, exosomes may provide biocompatible vehicles for the delivery of anti-cancer drugs, such as doxorubicin. Thus, exosomes may allow medical nutritionists and clinicians to develop safe and targeted therapies for the treatment of various pathologies. The present review introduces FDEs and their contents, highlights their role in disease and infant/adult health, and explores their potential use as therapeutic agents.

MicroRNAs Regulate Intestinal Immunity and Gut Microbiota for Gastrointestinal Health: A Comprehensive Review

“…Extracellular vesicles are present in most types of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells, which contribute to carrying and transporting proteins, RNAs (mRNA, microRNA, lncRNA, and other RNA species), and DNAs [ 124 ]. They facilitate the absorption of microRNAs from the digested external diet in the digestive tract of the host under various conditions [ 125 ]. The exosomes protect the integrity and stability of microRNAs from detrimental intestinal environments, such as digestive enzymes and low pH, by surrounding them with extracellular phospholipid bilayer vesicles [ 125 ].…”

“…They facilitate the absorption of microRNAs from the digested external diet in the digestive tract of the host under various conditions [ 125 ]. The exosomes protect the integrity and stability of microRNAs from detrimental intestinal environments, such as digestive enzymes and low pH, by surrounding them with extracellular phospholipid bilayer vesicles [ 125 ]. Moreover, exosomes carrying microRNAs from milk are absorbed by intestinal epithelial crypt-like cells through the digestive system.…”

Extracellular vesicle-shuttled miRNAs: a critical appraisal of their potential as nano-diagnostics and nano-therapeutics in type 2 diabetes mellitus and its cardiovascular complications

“…Beside the indirect effect in mediating EV biology, recent works suggest that food itself contain EVs. Evidence for EV presence have been found in a wide range of dietary sources, of both animal and vegetal origins 120 121 . Plants have adapted EV-mediated cross-kingdom RNA interference as part of the immune responses against pathogens 122 , an effect suggested to be active also against mammalian infection 123 .…”

MicroRNA-21-Enriched Exosomes as Epigenetic Regulators in Melanomagenesis and Melanoma Progression: The Impact of Western Lifestyle Factors

“…There is recent interest in exosomes derived from foods [ 263 , 264 ], particularly those delivered by pasteurized milk [ 212 ]. Milk consumption might affect MM through activation of mTORC1 signaling due to its amino acid profile and endocrine effects (increase of insulin-like growth factor 1) and by transfer of miR-21-enriched milk exosomes to the milk consumer [ 210 , 211 , 212 , 213 ].…”