Immune Modulation Using Extracellular Vesicles Encapsulated with MicroRNAs as Novel Drug Delivery Systems

Abstract

Self-tolerance involves protection from self-reactive B and T cells via negative selection during differentiation, programmed cell death, and inhibition of regulatory T cells. The breakdown of immune tolerance triggers various autoimmune diseases, owing to a lack of distinction between self-antigens and non-self-antigens. Exosomes are non-particles that are approximately 50–130 nm in diameter. Extracellular vesicles can be used for in vivo cell-free transmission to enable intracellular delivery of proteins and nucleic acids, including microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs encapsulated in exosomes can regulate the molecular pathways involved in the immune response through post-transcriptional regulation. Herein, we sought to summarize and review the molecular mechanisms whereby exosomal miRNAs modulate the expression of genes involved in the immune response.

Comparison of the Exosome Profile in Ankylosing Spondylitis and Healthy Controls

“…EVexo is associated with different inflammatory conditions, such as obesity, type-2 diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, several malignancies, and autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjögren's syndrome. Considering their potential to carry different mediators to control inflammatory events (3,5,6). Studies have shown increased EVexo activity in RA, and the origin of EVexo is synovial fibroblasts, synovial fluid, and mesenchymal stem cells (7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Exosome-like Systems: From Therapies to Vaccination for Cancer Treatment and Prevention—Exploring the State of the Art

“…Additionally, studies have shown that the level of expression of stimulatory factors crucial for T-cell activation on the exosome surface is lower than that on the DC surface. For example, when comparing direct activation methods, the ability of exosomes is only 5 to 10% of that of DCs [91].…”

Exosome-Like Systems: From Therapies to Vaccination for Cancer Treatment and Prevention—Exploring the State of the Art

“…Additionally, studies have shown that the level of expression of stimulatory factors crucial for T-cell activation on the exosome surface is lower than that on the DCs surface. For example, when comparing direct activation methods, the ability of exosomes is only 5 to 10% of that of DCs [89].…”