Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, are membranous particles released by cells into the extracellular space. They are involved in cell differentiation, tissue homeostasis, and organ remodelling in virtually all tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). They are secreted by a range of cell types and via blood reaching other cells whose functioning they can modify because they transport and deliver active molecules, such as proteins of various types and functions, lipids, DNA, and miRNAs. Since they are relatively easy to isolate, exosomes can be characterized, and their composition elucidated and manipulated by bioengineering techniques. Consequently, exosomes appear as promising theranostics elements, applicable to accurately diagnosing pathological conditions, and assessing prognosis and response to treatment in a variety of disorders. Likewise, the characteristics and manageability of exosomes make them potential candidates for delivering selected molecules, e.g., therapeutic drugs, to specific target tissues. All these possible applications are pertinent to research in neurophysiology, as well as to the study of neurological disorders, including CNS tumors, and autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases. In this brief review, we discuss what is known about the role and potential future applications of exosomes in the nervous system and its diseases, focusing on cell–cell communication in physiology and pathology.
Highlights
Nervous System Cells and TissuesAn Overview The nervous system, composed by the central nervous system (CNS), and the peripheral nervous system (TPhNeSn),eirsviomusplsicyastteedm,incothmepcoosmedmbuynitchaetiocnenwtriatlh nbeortvhotuhseseyxstteermna(lCaNndS)i,natenrdnathl eenpveirriopnhmereanl t of the noerrgvaonuissmsybsytemres(pPoNnSd)i,nigs tiomcphliecmateicdalinantdhephcoymsimcaul nsitcimatiuolni [w55it]h. both the external and internal enTvhieromnmaienncteolfl tthyepeosrgfaonuinsmd ibnythreespnoenrvdoinugs ttoiscshueemariceanl eaundropnhsy, osircanlesrtvime ucelill[s5,5t]h. at have the ability to rapidly rTehceemivaeinancdelltrtyapnessmfoituinmdpinultsheesnteorvaonuds ftrisosmuedairfefenreeunrtopnsa,rotsr noefrtvheecbelolsd,yt,haatnhdanveeuthroegalbiiali,toyrtoglial cellsrcae, plwlsid,hlwyichhriecchaesiasvsiessitsatninidn ttthrhaeenpspmrrooiptpaiagmgaptaiuotilnosenosf ottohfeathnnedervnfreeorimmvepduiifmlfseeprseunalntsdpesaprratosnvodidf pethrneouvbtrioidedenyt,nsautnotdrthienenenutesruotgroolinaths, eo(Frniggeuluiraerlons (Fig1u)r. eBo1t)h
It was initially thought that exosomes could be a mechanism for shedding the cytoplasm in maturing sheep reticulocytes [7]
The vesicles that have accumulated in the multivesicular bodies (MVBs) can follow three different pathways: (1) merge with the lysosomes, which leads to the degradation of their protein cargo; (2) constitute a temporary storage compartment; and (3) blend with the plasma membrane, releasing exosomes
Summary
An Overview The nervous system, composed by the central nervous system (CNS), and the peripheral nervous system (TPhNeSn),eirsviomusplsicyastteedm,incothmepcoosmedmbuynitchaetiocnenwtriatlh nbeortvhotuhseseyxstteermna(lCaNndS)i,natenrdnathl eenpveirriopnhmereanl t of the noerrgvaonuissmsybsytemres(pPoNnSd)i,nigs tiomcphliecmateicdalinantdhephcoymsimcaul nsitcimatiuolni [w55it]h. both the external and internal enTvhieromnmaienncteolfl tthyepeosrgfaonuinsmd ibnythreespnoenrvdoinugs ttoiscshueemariceanl eaundropnhsy, osircanlesrtvime ucelill[s5,5t]h. at have the ability to rapidly rTehceemivaeinancdelltrtyapnessmfoituinmdpinultsheesnteorvaonuds ftrisosmuedairfefenreeunrtopnsa,rotsr noefrtvheecbelolsd,yt,haatnhdanveeuthroegalbiiali,toyrtoglial cellsrcae, plwlsid,hlwyichhriecchaesiasvsiessitsatninidn ttthrhaeenpspmrrooiptpaiagmgaptaiuotilnosenosf ottohfeathnnedervnfreeorimmvepduiifmlfseeprseunalntsdpesaprratosnvodidf pethrneouvbtrioidedenyt,nsautnotdrthienenenutesruotgroolinaths, eo(Frniggeuluiraerlons (Fig1u)r. eBo1t)h. The fact that exosomes can reach the circulation and the CSF makes these vesicles likely means of long-distance communication and transport for bioactive molecules to be delivered to selected targets Because of their capability to cross the BBB [129,130], and because their content reflects faithfully that of the cell of origin, circulating exosomes can reveal the status of the tissue from which they come and, thereby, provide an accurate means for early, minimally invasive (peripheral blood drawing) diagnosis of neurological diseases [22,41,131] (Figure 2). The modality by which exosomes cross the BBB still remains unclear; this characteristic makes exosomes good candidates as biomarkers for diagnostics purposes, and for delivering therapeutic agents to neural tissues
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
