Extracellular vesicles in cardiovascular diseases

Abstract

Due to the continued high incidence and mortality rate worldwide, there is still a need to develop new strategies for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Proper cardiovascular function depends on the coordinated interplay and communication between cardiomyocytes and noncardiomyocytes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are enclosed in a lipid bilayer and represent a significant mechanism for intracellular communication. By containing and transporting various bioactive molecules, such as micro-ribonucleic acids (miRs) and proteins, to target cells, EVs impart favourable, neutral or detrimental effects on recipient cells, such as modulating gene expression, influencing cell phenotype, affecting molecular pathways and mediating biological behaviours. EVs can be released by cardiovascular system-related cells, such as cardiomyocytes, endotheliocytes, fibroblasts, platelets, smooth muscle cells, leucocytes, monocytes and macrophages. EVs containing miRs and proteins regulate a multitude of diverse functions in target cells, maintaining cardiovascular balance and health or inducing pathological changes in CVDs. On the one hand, miRs and proteins transferred by EVs play biological roles in maintaining normal cardiac structure and function under physiological conditions. On the other hand, EVs change the composition of their miR and protein cargoes under pathological conditions, which gives rise to the development of CVDs. Therefore, EVs hold tremendous potential to prevent, diagnose and treat CVDs. The current article reviews the specific functions of EVs in different CVDs.

Matrix Vesicles: Role in Bone Mineralization and Potential Use as Therapeutics

“…Although initially considered as inert cellular debris, EVs are now recognized as being important mediators in intercellular communication and many biological processes [ 31 , 32 , 66 ]. It has been shown that the concentration, composition, and cellular origin of EVs in body fluids differ between healthy subjects and patients suffering from diseases such as cancer, and cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases [ 31 , 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 ]. Therefore, there is a growing scientific and medical interest in EVs as valuable biomarkers in diagnostics and as therapeutics.…”

Circulating Extracellular Vesicles As Biomarkers and Drug Delivery Vehicles in Cardiovascular Diseases

“…Circulating EVs are released by almost all cells, including cardiovascular system-related cells (e.g., blood, heart, and blood vessels) [ 24 , 25 ]. Biologic fluids, such as blood [ 26 ], urine [ 27 ], saliva [ 28 ], breast milk [ 29 ], and seminal fluid [ 30 ], as well as conditioned media from cell culture experiments [ 31 , 32 ], all contain EVs.…”

CD9, a tetraspanin target for cancer therapy?

“…93,94 EVs are implicated in intercellular communication in both healthy and disease states. [95][96][97][98] They act as vehicles for the intercellular transfer of bioactive membranous and cytosolic molecules such as proteins, lipids, and various types of RNAs. [99][100][101] EVs can be isolated from various body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, and malignant ascites.…”