Insight into extracellular vesicles in vascular diseases: intercellular communication role and clinical application potential

Abstract

Background Cells have been increasingly known to release extracellular vesicles (EVs) to the extracellular environment under physiological and pathological conditions. A plethora of studies have revealed that EVs contain cell-derived biomolecules and are found in circulation, thereby implicating them in molecular trafficking between cells. Furthermore, EVs have an effect on physiological function and disease development and serve as disease biomarkers. Main body Given the close association between EV circulation and vascular disease, this review aims to provide a brief introduction to EVs, with a specific focus on the EV cargoes participating in pathological mechanisms, diagnosis, engineering, and clinical potential, to highlight the emerging evidence suggesting promising targets in vascular diseases. Despite the expansion of research in this field, some noticeable limitations remain for clinical translational research. Conclusion This review makes a novel contribution to a summary of recent advances and a perspective on the future of EVs in vascular diseases.

Urinary extracellular vesicle-derived miR-126-3p predicts lymph node invasion in patients with high-risk prostate cancer

“…Third, there are a lack of large-scale multicenter clinical data. Standardized and effective screening and validation strategies are prerequisites and guarantees for improving the efficiency of clinical translation [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Extracellular vesicles: Function, resilience, biomarker, bioengineering, and clinical implications

“…By shuttling proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, EVs enable the exchange of molecular information, influencing recipient cell behavior and function. This communication occurs locally within tissues and organs, as well as systemically throughout the body, thereby modulating various physiological processes and contributing to homeostasis [ 1 2 3 4 ].…”

“…Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have garnered immense interest in biomedical research due to their diverse roles in intercellular communication, disease pathogenesis, and therapeutic potential. These small membrane-bound vesicles are released by virtually all cell types into the extracellular environment and play crucial roles in mediating cell-to-cell communication [ 1 2 3 4 ]. Initially dismissed as cellular debris, EVs are now recognized as essential mediators of intercellular communication, delivering a cargo of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids to recipient cells.…”

“…For instance, EVs carry and deliver antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutases, catalase, peroxiredoxin, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, and thioredoxin [ 23 ], acting as molecular firefighters to quench oxidative stress, preserve cellular integrity, and facilitate resilience [ 23 24 25 26 27 ]. Conversely, dysregulation of EV-mediated communication has been implicated in disease pathogenesis, including cancer progression, immune disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases [ 1 2 3 4 ].…”

Cell Type-Specific Extracellular Vesicles and Their Impact on Health and Disease

“…Additionally, this specificity and ability to be extracted from biofluids enables CTS-EVs to serve as valuable biomarkers of disease [ 25 ]. The dysregulation of CTS-EV-mediated intercellular communication has been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, neurological disorders, autoimmune conditions, cardiovascular diseases, and more ( Figure 1 ) [ 26 ]. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms and functions of CTS-EVs can provide insights into disease pathogenesis and potentially lead to the identification of both diagnostic and therapeutic targets.…”