Urinary Exosomes

Abstract

Exosomes are nanovesicles of endocytic origin that are secreted into the extracellular space or body fluids when a multivesicular body (MVB) fuses with the cell membrane. Interest in exosomes intensified after their description in antigen-presenting cells and the observation that they can significantly moderate immune responses in vivo. In the past few years, several groups have reported on the secretion of exosomes by almost all cell types in an organism. In addition to a common set of membrane and cytosolic molecules, exosomes harbor unique subsets of proteins, reflecting their cellular source. Major research efforts were put into their surprisingly various biological functions and in translating knowledge into clinical practice. Urine provides an exciting noninvasive alternative to blood or tissue samples as a potential source of disease biomarkers. Urinary exosomes (UE) became the subject of serious studies just a few years ago. A recent large-scale proteomics-based study of normal UE revealed a myriad of proteins, including disease-related gene products. Thus, UE have valuable potential as a source of biomarkers for early detection of various types of diseases, monitoring the disease evolution and/or response to therapy. As a relatively new field of research, it still faces many challenges, but UE have already shown some straightforward potential.

Exosomes Derived from HIV-1-infected Cells Contain Trans-activation Response Element RNA

“…Exosomes contain lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids (mRNAs and miRNAs) 2 (5,6). The proteomic composition of exosomes has been well characterized (7)(8)(9)(10). Exosomes released into the intercellular space can fuse with multiple target cells and exert regulatory influences on the target cell (11)(12)(13)(14)(15).…”

The Phosphorylated Sodium Chloride Cotransporter in Urinary Exosomes Is Superior to Prostasin as a Marker for Aldosteronism

“…[1][2][3]26 Progress has been somewhat hindered by technical and normalization issues, but the proposal of uniform protocols has been a step in the right direction. 18,27 We believe that the strength of this study was to combine a controlled experimental setting with a clinical setting for the analysis of urinary exosomes in aldosteronism.…”

Circulating microRNAs: New biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of cancer (Review)

“…Exosomes, on the other hand, are smaller vesicles (30-100 nm) released when endosomally-derived multivesicular bodies fuse with the plasma membrane. MiRNAs have been identified in both exosomes and microvesicles derived from a variety of sources, including human and mouse mast cells, glioblastoma tumors (29), plasma (30), saliva (31) and urine (32).…”