Microparticles: From Biogenesis to Biomarkers and Diagnostic Tools in Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main object of morbidity and death in the world. There are different triggers of CVD, but atherosclerosis and/or hypertension are the most usual. CVD risk factors are used as prognosticators of disease process, while the biomarkers that envisage cardiovascular risk have an important biological basis. The integration of CVD risk factors and new biomarkers can improve CVD risk stratification and disease management. The identification of microparticles (MPs) in body fluids has opened new perspectives in diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of CVD pathogenesis. MPs are submicron vesicles released from a diversity of cell types with pleiotropic biological effects on signaling among cells. They are correlated with disease state and play a major role in atherosclerosis associated with inflammation, thrombosis as well as in CVD development and progression. This review reveals many sides of MPs as risk factors, biomarkers, novel forms of intercellular communication, non-invasive potential diagnostic tools and discusses their positive and negative impact on CVD.

Intravenous Administration of Allogenic Cell-Derived Microvesicles of Healthy Origins Defends Against Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Development by a Direct Action on Endothelial Progenitor Cells

“…Most studies have described MPs or MVs as small (0.1-1.5 µm), pro-inflammatory vesicles released by many cell types (e.g., endothelial cells, platelets, monocytes, leucocytes) in a closely controlled process. MPs and MVs have also been shown to contain cytoplasm and surface markers of their origin cells [7][8][9]. With regard to their life after release into circulation by the cells, it is assumed that they bind and fuse with target cells through receptor-ligand interactions, and then, through their cellular content, MVs modulate a series of biological processes, mediating in this way the complex processes of vascular inflammation and coagulation [10].…”

Part Two: Extracellular Vesicles as a Risk Factor in Neurodegenerative Diseases

“…All these circulating EVs associated with coronary disease [74] may affect the vascular bed of the brain and disrupt the functionality of BBB. Aging and cardiovascular-associated disease are associated with BBB alteration [75] and blood circulating EVs may mediate early dysfunctions or progression of cerebral associated pathology.…”

The role of microvesicles containing microRNAs in vascular endothelial dysfunction

“…The formation of MVs appears to occur mostly in lipid‐rich microdomains (lipid rafts/caveolae) within the plasma membrane . The underlying mechanism of the formation and release of MVs remains to be fully elucidated, but a consensus has been reached that intracellular Ca2+ plays a crucial role in the formation and release of MVs (Figure ). Firstly, physiological asymmetry of the membrane bilayer is maintained by several phospholipid transporters: flippase, floppase and scramblase.…”

“…Finally, in terms of treatment, because of the complexity and diversity of miRNA‐mRNA interaction, we need to take this into account that the impact of MV‐delivered miRNAs on the target cells may be greatly extensive to have bad effects. Besides, before using detections of the MV‐delivered miRNAs to better assess diseases, it is necessary to clarify the aspects of the clinical utility of MV as biomarker, such as evidence of their predictive value, discrimination and reclassification power . If all these outstanding issues can be resolved, the use of MV‐delivered miRNAs will be an effective and site‐specific treatment.…”

“…Besides, before using detections of the MV-delivered miRNAs to better assess diseases, it is necessary to clarify the aspects of the clinical utility of MV as biomarker, such as evidence of their predictive value, discrimination and reclassification power. 26 If all these outstanding issues can be resolved, the use of MV-delivered miRNAs will be an effective and site-specific treatment.…”