Extracellular Vesicles in Renal Pathophysiology

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles are a heterogeneous population of microparticles released by virtually all living cells which have been recently widely investigated in different biological fields. They are typically composed of two primary types (exosomes and microvesicles) and are recently commanding increasing attention as mediators of cellular signaling. Indeed, these vesicles can affect recipient cells by carrying and delivering complex cargos of biomolecules (including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids), protected from enzymatic degradation in the environment. Their importance has been demonstrated in the pathophysiology of several organs, in particular in kidney, where different cell types secrete extracellular vesicles that mediate their communication with downstream urinary tract cells. Over the past few years, evidence has been shown that vesicles participate in kidney development and normal physiology. Moreover, EVs are widely demonstrated to be implicated in cellular signaling during renal regenerative and pathological processes. Although many EV mechanisms are still poorly understood, in particular in kidney, the discovery of their role could help to shed light on renal biological processes which are so far elusive. Lastly, extracellular vesicles secreted by renal cells gather in urine, thus becoming a great resource for disease or recovery markers and a promising non-invasive diagnostic instrument for renal disease. In the present review, we discuss the most recent findings on the role of extracellular vesicles in renal physiopathology and their potential implication in diagnosis and therapy.

Tuberous sclerosis complex exhibits a new renal cystogenic mechanism

“…First, such extracellular vesicles are a prominent component of renal pathophysiology (Pomatto et al. ), and their release is stimulated by ER stress (Kanemoto et al. ) such as that which occurs in cells with a disrupted TSC (Siroky et al.…”

“…This exploration was based on several reasons. First, such extracellular vesicles are a prominent component of renal pathophysiology (Pomatto et al 2017), and their release is stimulated by ER stress (Kanemoto et al 2016) such as that which occurs in cells with a disrupted TSC (Siroky et al 2012). Second, extracellular vesicle release as well as fusion are known to be increased in an acidic extracellular environment (Parolini et al 2009;Maas et al 2017), and the cyst fluid in the Aqp2CreTsc2 Figure 7.…”

Exosomes and microvesicles in normal physiology, pathophysiology, and renal diseases

“…These aspects have been comprehensively reviewed recently by our group and others [2, 128, 133]. Studies on the role of EVs in AKI have mostly been carried out in patients with sepsis, burns or other forms of acute tubular injury [134, 135].…”

HMGB1+ microparticles present in urine are hallmarks of nephritis in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

“…A variety of evidence indicates that extracellular vesicles participate in the developmental processes of the normal kidney . In addition, extracellular vesicles in renal tissue are also involved in pathological conditions, including acute kidney injuries and chronic kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and renal carcinoma .…”

“…In addition, extracellular vesicles in renal tissue are also involved in pathological conditions, including acute kidney injuries and chronic kidney diseases such as polycystic kidney disease, renal fibrosis, ischemia/reperfusion injury, and renal carcinoma . As a result, recent efforts have focused on the study of extracellular vesicles in urine, including MPs and exosomes, since these structures can be considered a remote biopsy that gives important clues about organ status and cellular damage . However, little is known about these extracellular vesicles in LN patients.…”