Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes, are small vesicles secreted from a wide variety of cells. Whereas MVs are particles released by the outward budding of the plasma membrane, exosomes are derived from endocytic compartments. Secretion of EVs can be enhanced by specific stimuli, and increased plasma circulating levels of EVs have been correlated with pathophysiological situations. MVs, already present in the blood of healthy individuals, are considerably elevated in several cardiovascular diseases associated with inflammation, suggesting that they can mediate deleterious effects such as endothelial dysfunction or thrombosis. Nonetheless, very recent studies also demonstrate that MVs may act as biological information vectors transferring proteins or genetic material to maintain cell homeostasis, favor cell repair, or even promote angiogenesis. Additionally, exosomes have also been shown to have pro-angiogenic and cardio-protective properties. These beneficial effects, therefore, reveal the potential therapeutical use of EVs in the field of cardiovascular medicine and regenerative therapy. In this review, we will provide an update of cellular processes modulated by EVs of specific interest in the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. A special focus will be made on the morphogen sonic hedgehog (Shh) associated with EVs (EVsShh+), which have been shown to mediate many pro-angiogenic effects. In addition to offer a potential source of cardiovascular markers, therapeutical potential of EVs reveal exciting opportunities to deliver specific agents by non-immunogenic means to cardiovascular system.
Highlights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) comprising exosomes (
While exosomes are formed from the multivesicular bodies, both microparticles and apoptotic bodies come from plasma membrane
Thereby, specific antigens carried by EVs allow the identification of donor/producer cell, whereas use of different agents to stimulate EV generation allows achieving EVs with different potential effects
Summary
INSERM U1063 “Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Pathologies,” Institut de Biologie en Santé, Université d’Angers, Angers, France. Reviewed by: Maria Mittelbrunn, National Center of Cardiovascular Research, Spain Martial Ruat, INSERM, France. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), including microvesicles (MVs) and exosomes, are small vesicles secreted from a wide variety of cells. Exosomes have been shown to have pro-angiogenic and cardio-protective properties. These beneficial effects, reveal the potential therapeutical use of EVs in the field of cardiovascular medicine and regenerative therapy. We will provide an update of cellular processes modulated by EVs of specific interest in the treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. A special focus will be made on the morphogen sonic hedgehog (Shh) associated with EVs (EVsShh+), which have been shown to mediate many pro-angiogenic effects.
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