The role of extracellular vesicles in intercellular communication in human reproduction

Abstract

Embryo–maternal cross-talk has emerged as a vitally important process for embryo development and implantation, which is driven by secreted factors and extracellular vesicles (EVs). The EV cargo of bioactive molecules significantly influences target cells and primes them for critical stages of reproductive biology, including embryo development, adhesion, and implantation. Recent research has suggested that EVs and their cargo represent a powerful non-invasive tool that can be leveraged to assess embryo and maternal tissue quality during assisted reproduction treatments. Here, we review the current scientific literature regarding the intercellular cross-talk between embryos and maternal tissues from fertilization to implantation, focusing on human biology and signaling mechanisms identified in animal models.

The Role of Extracellular Vesicles in the Pathogenesis of Hematological Malignancies: Interaction with Tumor Microenvironment; a Potential Biomarker and Targeted Therapy

“…Intercellular communication, an essential biological process of multicellular organisms, is mediated by three different mechanisms: (1) cytoplasmic bridges; (2) direct interactions between adjacent cells via membrane proteins; and (3) cellular secretary molecules [1,2]. Recently, a fourth mechanism has been discovered, which includes the intercellular transfer of extracellular vesicles (EVs) [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. EVs are membrane-bound entities released by almost all types of cells into the extracellular environment [11,12].…”

“…On the other hand, tumor-derived EVs (6) induce immunosuppressive functions of MDSCs, as well as (7) promote MDSCs growth. Again, tumorderived EVs (8) not only prevent the generation of ROS in macrophages but also(9) promote macrophages' pro-inflammatory response (10). The differentiation of monocytes into dendritic cells is often perturbed by the incorporation of tumor-derived EVs into monocytes.…”