Chapter 16 - Potential role of exosomes in reproductive medicine and pregnancy

Abstract

Exosomes are nano-sized (~50–150nm), specialized membrane-bound vesicles, derived from the endocytic compartments of the cell and released into the extracellular space. Recent studies identifies exosomes are important mediators of cell to cell communication by transferring biologically active molecules such as proteins and miRNAs in recipient cells. Exosomes play several roles in regulating the physiological events of pregnancy, essential for successful pregnancy outcomes. The most vital organ in pregnancy, the placenta, extrudes large quantities of extracellular vesicles including exosomes into the maternal circulation. Exosomes derived from placenta are involved in various biological processes including trophoblast invasion, feto-maternal vascular development, maternal immune response and metabolism. Herein, we review the biogenesis, characteristics and biological functions of exosomes in pregnancy, with a special focus on exosomes derived from placenta and highlight their importance in normal and pregnancies with adverse outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus, preeclampsia and preterm birth.