Exosomes have become an important player in intercellular signaling. These lipid microvesicles can stably transfer miRNA, protein, and other molecules between cells and circulate throughout the body. Exosomes are released by almost all cell types and are present in most if not all biological fluids. The biologically active cargo carried by exosomes can alter the phenotype of recipient cells. Exosomes increasingly are recognized as having an important role in the progression and treatment of cardiac disease states. Injured cardiac cells can release exosomes with important pathological effects on surrounding tissue, in addition to effecting other organs. But of equal interest is the possible benefit(s) conferred by exosomes released from stem cells for use in treatment and possible repair of cardiac damage.
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
Recent advances in extracellular vesicle (EV) research have given rise to a new paradigm in cellular communication. EVs are small membrane vesicles released by cells that can be visualized by cryo-electron microscopy in a close to native state. The cover image shows vesicles released from skin cells called melanocytes and reveals their elegant but simple structure (for details see van Niel et al. (2015) Cell Rep. 13, 43-51). In this issue of Essays in Biochemistry, the role of EVs (exosomes and microvesicles) in extracellular communication has been approached from multiple perspectives: intracellular sorting and vesicle biogenesis, complex physiological systems including cardiovascular biology, metabolism and development, as well as pathophysiologic deviations including cancer and infection. Model organisms, key research tools in cell developmental biology research, have been highlighted as well. EVs, because of their role in cell-to-cell communication and their broad distribution across phyla and even kingdoms, represent a new frontier in biological and medical science. Image credit: Guillaume van Niel and Daniel Levy (Institut Curie).
Exosomes and cardiovascular cell–cell communication
Philip Stahl, Graça Raposo, Adam J. Poe, Anne A. Knowlton; Exosomes and cardiovascular cell–cell communication. Essays Biochem 15 May 2018; 62 (2): 193–204. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20170081
Download citation file: