Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are composed of lipid bilayer membranes and contain various molecules, such as mRNA and microRNA (miRNA), that regulate the functions of the recipient cell. Recent studies have reported the importance of EV-mediated intercellular communication in the brain. The brain contains several types of cells, including neurons and glial cells. Among them, astrocytes are the most abundant glial cells in the mammalian brain and play a wide range of roles, from structural maintenance of the brain to regulation of neurotransmission. Furthermore, since astrocytes can take up EVs, it is possible that EVs originating from inside and outside the brain affect astrocyte function, which in turn affects brain function. However, it has not been fully clarified whether the specific targeting mechanism of EVs to astrocytes as recipient cells exists. In recent years, EVs have attracted attention as a cell-targeted therapeutic approach in various organs, and elucidation of the targeting mechanism of EVs to astrocytes may pave the way for new therapies for brain diseases. In this review, we focus on EVs in the brain that affect astrocyte function and discuss the targeting mechanism of EVs to astrocytes.
Highlights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are defined by the International Society for ExtracellularVesicles (ISEV) as “a general term for particles that are spontaneously released from cells and cannot be replicated, separated by a lipid bilayer” [1]
They reported that mRNAs containing 3 H-labeled uracil are translated by transferring them from donor cells to recipient cells [3]
EVs that are taken up by astrocytes in disease conditions include those derived from neurons, microglia, astrocytes, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), and those contained in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the cell type of origin is unknown
Summary
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are defined by the International Society for Extracellular. MiRNA contained in EVs have been suggested to affect the function of the recipient cells. It has been reported that cancer cell-derived exosomes increase the expression of mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (MET) in bone marrow cells and promote angiogenesis in malignant melanoma [6] These findings suggest that the effects of EVs are not limited to changes in gene and protein expression at the single recipient cell level and that EVs may affect the expression of biological functions through the regulation of intercellular communication. EVs that are taken up by astrocytes in disease conditions include those derived from neurons, microglia, astrocytes, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs), and those contained in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the cell type of origin is unknown. In mice treated with LPS, EVs in CSF are taken up by astrocytes and increase the expression of IL-1β, TNF, and IL-6
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
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
