Exosome Biology Research Articles

Exosomes in Dermatological Research: Unveiling Their Multifaceted Role in Cellular Communication, Healing, and Disease Modulation

Exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vehicles (EVs), play a pivotal role in cellular communication and have gained considerable attention in dermatological research. Formed through the inward budding of the endosomal membrane, exosomes facilitate the transfer of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, including microRNAs (miRNAs), thereby influencing the behavior and function of recipient cells. These vesicles are secreted by various cell types, including keratinocytes, and are crucial for maintaining skin homeostasis, regulating immune responses, and promoting wound healing. Exosomes have demonstrated therapeutic potential in addressing dermatological conditions such as hair disorders, skin cancers and photoaging through enhanced regeneration and reduced oxidative stress. However, they are also implicated in disease progression, with pathogens utilizing exosome release to evade host immune responses. Recent studies highlight the diverse origins and functions of exosomes, suggesting their promise as innovative therapeutic agents in dermatology. As research continues to elucidate their multifaceted roles, exosomes represent a frontier in understanding intercellular communication and developing novel treatments for skin-related diseases, underscoring their potential impact on both health and clinical applications. This review synthesizes the existing literature on exosome biology and isolation with a focus on their implications in dermatological contexts.

Metabolic Tagging Technology of Exosomes- An Updated Review.

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by various cell types, playing a crucial role in intercellular communication by carrying proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, thus holding significant potential in diagnostics and therapeutics. Accurate labeling of exosomes is vital for studying their biogenesis, trafficking, and functional properties, enabling precise tracking and manipulation. This review examines current labeling techniques, including metabolic glycan labeling, chemical tagging, membrane fluorescent dyes, bio-conjugation, non-covalent labeling, and cell-engineering approaches. Each method is analyzed for its efficiency, specificity, and practicality, with attention to potential artifacts and challenges. Advancements in these techniques are essential for improving our understanding of exosome biology and developing exosome-based diagnostic and therapeutic strategies, providing researchers with valuable insights into state-of-the-art techniques and their applications in exosome research.

Exosome-Derived microRNAs: Bridging the Gap Between Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes in Diagnosis and Treatment

Obesity and type 2 diabetes represent global public health challenges that are continuously growing at an alarming rate. The etiology of obesity is complex and multifactorial, with a substantial interplay between behavioral, biological, and environmental factors. Dysregulation of immunometabolism through chronic low-intensity inflammation in obesity has long been recognized as the main driver of insulin resistance and the development of type 2 diabetes. However, the intricate mechanisms underlying these alterations have yet to be fully elucidated. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that carry biomolecules including various types of RNA molecules. Of particular importance are microRNAs (miRNAs), known as modulators of gene expression whose altered expression is observed in various pathophysiological conditions. Recent research suggests that exosome-derived miRNAs, such as miR-155, miR-27a, and miR-29, play an essential role in the regulation of inflammatory processes, while miR-122 and miR-192 are associated with metabolic dysfunction. These and many other miRNAs influence signaling pathways that are critical for maintaining insulin sensitivity, thereby contributing to the development of insulin resistance in individuals with obesity. Hence, there is a growing interest in the potential of exosomes and miRNAs as biomarkers for the early detection of insulin resistance and other obesity-related complications, as well as promising therapeutic targets or next-generation drug delivery carriers. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the interplay between exosome-derived miRNA, obesity, and type 2 diabetes and summarizes the latest findings in exosome biology.

Current understanding of therapeutic and diagnostic applications of exosomes in pancreatic cancer.

Unusual symptoms, rapid progression, lack of reliable early diagnostic biomarkers, and lack of efficient treatment choices are the ongoing challenges of pancreatic cancer. Numerous research studies have demonstrated the correlation between exosomes and various aspects of pancreatic cancer. In light of these facts, exosomes possess the potential to play functional roles in the treatment, prognosis, and diagnosis of the pancreatic cancer. In the present study, we reviewed the most recent developments in approaches for exosome separation, modification, monitoring, and communication. Moreover, we discussed the clinical uses of exosomes as less invasive liquid biopsies and drug carriers and their contribution to the control of angiogenic activity of pancreatic cancer. Better investigation of exosome biology would help to effectively engineer therapeutic exosomes with certain nucleic acids, proteins, and even exogenous drugs as their cargo. Circulating exosomes have shown promise as reliable candidates for pancreatic cancer early diagnosis and monitoring in high-risk people without clinical cancer manifestation. Although we have tried to reflect the status of exosome applications in the treatment and detection of pancreatic cancer, it is evident that further studies and clinical trials are required before exosomes may be employed as a routine therapeutic and diagnostic tools for pancreatic cancer.

The role and clinical applications of exosomes in cancer drug resistance.

Tumor-secreted exosomes are heterogeneous multi-signal messengers that support cancer growth and dissemination by mediating intercellular crosstalk and activating signaling pathways. Distinct from previous reviews, we focus intently on exosome-therapeutic resistance dynamics and summarize the new findings about the regulation of cancer treatment resistance by exosomes, shedding light on the complex processes via which these nanovesicles facilitate therapeutic refractoriness across various malignancies. Future research in exosome biology can potentially transform diagnostic paradigms and therapeutic interventions for cancer management. This review synthesizes recent insights into the exosome-driven regulation of cancer drug resistance, illuminates the sophisticated mechanisms by which these nanovesicles facilitate therapeutic refractoriness across various malignancies, and summarizes some strategies to overcome drug resistance.

Present and Future Use of Exosomes in Dermatology.

Exposure to external environmental stimuli can lead to skin aging, pigmentation, hair loss, and various immune-mediated as well as connective tissue diseases. Although conventional treatments are routinely used and favoured, they fail to achieve an adequate balance between clinical and cosmetic outcomes. Exosomes are vesicles with a lipid bilayer released by several cell types. These bioactive vesicles play a crucial role in intercellular communication and in several other physiological and pathological processes. They serve as vehicles for bioactive substances including lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins, making them appealing as cell-free treatments. According to studies, exosomes play a vital role in preventing scarring, and senescence, and promoting wound healing. Moreover, research on the biology of exosomes is growing, which has enabled the creation of specific guidelines and quality control methodologies to support their potential implementation in the future. In this review, we have mainly focused on the role of exosomes in various dermatological diseases, their clinical applications, and the potential for further research pertaining to this.

Emerging understandings of the role of exosomes in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis remains a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of global morbidity and mortality. Despite the elucidation of several molecular, biochemical, and cellular aspects that contribute to the etio-pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, much remains to be understood about the onset and progression of this disease. Emerging evidence supports a role for exosomes in the cellular basis of atherosclerosis. Indeed, exosomes of activated monocytes seem to accentuate a positive feedback loop that promotes recruitment of pro-inflammatory leukocytes. Moreover, in addition to their role in promoting proliferation and invasion of vascular smooth muscle cells, exosomes can also induce neovascularization within lesions and increase endothelial permeability, two important features of fibrous plaques. Depending on their sources and cargo, exosomes can also induce clot formation and contribute to other hallmarks of atherosclerosis. Taken together, it is becoming increasingly evident that a better understanding of exosome biology is integral to elucidating the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and may thus provide insight into a potentially new therapeutic target for this disease.

Research progress of exosomes from different sources in myocardial ischemia.

Ischemic heart disease refers to the imbalance between the supply and demand of myocardial blood; it has various causes and results in a class of clinical diseases characterized by myocardial ischemia (MI). In recent years, the incidence of cardiovascular disease has become higher and higher, and the number of patients with ischemic heart disease has also increased year by year. Traditional treatment methods include drug therapy and surgical treatment, both of which have limitations. The former maybe develop risks of drug resistance and has more significant side effects, while the latter may damage blood vessels and risk infection. At this stage, a new cell-free treatment method needs to be explored. Many research results have shown that exosomes from different cell sources can protect the ischemic myocardium via intercellular action methods, such as promoting angiogenesis, inhibiting myocardial fibrosis, apoptosis and pyroptosis, and providing a new basis for the treatment of MI. In this review, we briefly introduce the formation and consequences of myocardial ischemia and the biology of exosomes, and then focus on the role and mechanism of exosomes from different sources in MI. We also discuss the role and mechanism of exosomes pretreated with Chinese and Western medicines on myocardial ischemia. We also discuss the potential of exosomes as diagnostic markers and therapeutic drug for MI.

Research progress on exosomes and their non-coding RNAs in the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, originating from irreversible progressive loss of neuronal structure or function, are difficult to diagnose and treat. They vary widely in scope and have poor prevention and prognosis. Therefore, research on their early diagnosis is particularly important. Exosomes are small vesicles of cellular origin that contain various bioactive small molecules, such as proteins, RNAs, and DNAs, and play important roles in intercellular communication. Recent studies have shown that exosomes and their non-coding RNAs are key factors in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, exosomes and their non-coding RNAs may provide a breakthrough for the early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases. This review summarizes the biology of exosomes and the current research progress of exosomes and their non-coding RNAs in diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases and further explores the challenges and prospects they face.

Review article: An overview of exosomes in biology and their potential applications in regenerative medicine

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), commonly acknowledged as Exosomes, are tiny, single-membrane, secreted organelles that range in size from 40 to 150 nm. They are noticeably abundant in various proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and glycoconjugates and share the same structure as cells. Numerous and non-hematopoietic cell types continuously manufacture and release stable, less toxic, and biocompatible exosomes with many complex compounds (in the form of various signaling molecules, miRNA, and mRNA) in the liquid parts of the body. Exosomes help in intercellular communication/transfer of proteins, RNA, cell differentiation, immune signaling, delivering antigens, angiogenesis, and stress response. In recent studies, researchers found that Mesenchymal Stem cells (MSCs) generate exosomes that symbolize biological processes like tissue regeneration by encasing and delivering active biomolecular species to the infected/damaged cells and tissues. The most extensive research in regenerative medicine has focused on MSCs-Exosomes. Regenerative medicine plays a crucial role in restoring the damaged/lost parts of organs and tissues and aiding in wound healing. Immunomodulation and tissue repair are possible by introducing Mesenchymal Stem cell (MSC) exosomes, which have triggered remodeling reactions. They produce local anti-inflammatory and healing signals crucial for regeneration and tissue repair. The primary goal of this review is to highlight the MSCs-exosome’s mechanism of action and its therapeutic uses in clinical settings. Also, it highlights new developments in employing MSCsexosomes to treat various ailments and disorders.

Exosome- Machine Learning Integration in Biomedicine: Advancing Diagnosis and Biomarker Discovery.

Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) secreted by various cell types, play crucial roles in intercellular communication and are increasingly recognized as valuable biomarkers for disease diagnosis and therapeutic targets. Meanwhile, machine learning (ML) techniques have revolutionized biomedical research by enabling the analysis of complex datasets and highly accurate prediction of disease outcomes. Exosomes, with their diverse cargo of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, offer a rich source of molecular information reflecting the physiological state of cells. Integrating exosome analysis with ML algorithms, including supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, allows for identifying disease-specific biomarkers and predicting disease outcomes based on exosome profiles. Integrating exosome biology with ML presents a promising avenue for advancing biomedical research and clinical practice. This review explores the intersection of exosome biology and ML in biomedicine, highlighting the importance of integrating these disciplines to advance our understanding of disease mechanisms and biomarker discovery.

Clinical Applications of Exosomes: A Critical Review.

Exosomes, small membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells, have gained significant attention for their therapeutic potential. Measuring 30-100 nm in diameter and derived from various cell types, exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communication by transferring proteins, lipids, and RNA between cells. This review analyzes existing literature on the clinical applications of exosomes. We conducted a comprehensive search of peer-reviewed articles and clinical trial data to evaluate the benefits, limitations, and challenges of exosome-based therapies. Key areas of focus included regenerative medicine, cancer therapy, gene therapy, and diagnostic biomarkers. This review highlights the vast clinical applications of exosomes. In regenerative medicine, exosomes facilitate tissue repair and regeneration. In cancer therapy, exosomes can deliver therapeutic agents directly to tumor cells. In gene therapy, exosomes serve as vectors for gene delivery. As diagnostic biomarkers, they are useful in diagnosing various diseases. Challenges such as the isolation, purification, and characterization of exosomes were identified. Current clinical trials demonstrate the potential of exosome-based therapies, though they also reveal significant hurdles. Regulatory issues, including the need for standardization and validation of exosome products, are critical for advancing these therapies. While significant progress has been made in understanding exosome biology, further research is essential to fully unlock their clinical potential. Addressing challenges in isolation, purification, and regulatory standardization is crucial for their successful application in clinical practice. This review provides a concise overview of the clinical applications of exosomes, emphasizing both their therapeutic promise and the obstacles that need to be overcome.

Standardized Reporting of Research on Exosomes to Ensure Rigor and Reproducibility.

Significance: The study of extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially exosomes, has unlocked new avenues in understanding cellular communication and potential therapeutic applications. Recent Advances: Advancements in EV research have shown significant contributions from the International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV), in establishing methodological standards. The evolution of the Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (MISEV) guidelines from 2014 to 2023 reflects enhanced research rigor and reproducibility. The launch of EV-TRACK platform promotes uniformity and reproducibility by providing a centralized repository for data sharing and standardization practices. Furthermore, databases like EVpedia and ExoCarta have facilitated data sharing and collaboration within the scientific community. Concurrently, exosome-based therapies have emerged as a forefront area within regenerative medicine and targeted drug delivery, showcasing the potential of exosomes in promoting tissue regeneration. Critical Issues: Despite advancements, the field grapples with challenges such as vesicular heterogeneity, EV isolation complexity, and standardization. These issues impact research reproducibility and clinical applications. The inconsistency in exosomal preparations in clinical trials poses significant challenges to therapeutic efficacy and safety. Future Directions: The review outlines critical areas for future research, including the need for technological innovation in EV isolation and characterization, the establishment of standardized protocols, and a deeper understanding of exosome biology. The review also highlights the need to reassess guidelines, develop new EV isolation and characterization technologies, and establish standardized protocols to overcome current limitations. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary research and collaboration to address the complexities of EV biology, improve clinical trial design, and ultimately realize exosome's therapeutic and diagnostic potential. Continued evaluation and rigorous scientific validation are essential for successful exosome integration.

Exosomes in Osteoarthritis: A Review on Their Isolation Techniques and Therapeutic Potential.

Exosomes are the smallest extracellular vesicles (30-150nm) secreted by all cell types, including synovial fluid. However, because biological fluids are complex, heterogeneous, and contain contaminants, their isolation is difficult and time-consuming. Furthermore, the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA)involves exosomescarryingcomplex components that cause macrophages to release chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines. This narrative review aims to provide in-depth insights into exosome biology, isolation techniques, role in OA pathophysiology, and potential role in future OA therapeutics. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies involving exosomes in the osteoarthritis using keywords "Exosomes" and "Osteoarthritis". Relevant articles in the last 15years involving both human and animal models were included. Studies involving exosomes in other inflammatory diseases were excluded. Despite some progress, conventional techniques for isolating exosomes remain laborious and difficult, requiring intricate and time-consuming procedures acrossvarious body fluids and sample origins. Moreover, exosomes are involved in various physiological processes associated with OA, like cartilage calcification, degradation of osteoarthritic joints, and inflammation. The process of achieving standardization, integration, and high throughput of exosome isolation equipment is challenging and time-consuming. The integration of various methodologies can be employed to effectively address specific issues by leveraging their complementary benefits. Exosomes have the potential to effectively repair damaged cartilage OA, reduce inflammation, and maintain abalance between the formation and breakdown of cartilage matrix, therefore showing promise as a therapeutic option for OA.

Exosomes in Atherosclerosis: Role in the Pathogenesis and Targets for Therapy.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is an advanced chronic inflammatory disease and the leading cause of death worldwide. The pathological development of ASCVD begins with atherosclerosis, characterised by a pathological remodelling of the arterial wall, lipid accumulation and build-up of atheromatous plaque. As the disease advances, it narrows the vascular lumen and limits the blood, leading to ischaemic necrosis in coronary arteries. Exosomes are nano-sized lipid vesicles of different origins that can carry many bioactive molecules from their parental cells, thus playing an important role in intercellular communication. The roles of exosomes in atherosclerosis have recently been intensively studied, advancing our understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this review, we briefly introduce exosome biology and then focus on the roles of exosomes of different cellular origins in atherosclerosis development and progression, functional significance of their cargoes and physiological impact on recipient cells. Studies have demonstrated that exosomes originating from endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, macrophages, dendritic cells, platelets, stem cells, adipose tissue and other sources play an important role in the atherosclerosis development and progression by affecting cholesterol transport, inflammatory, apoptotic and other aspects of the recipient cells' metabolism. MicroRNAs are considered the most significant type of bioactive molecules transported by exosomes and involved in ASCVD development. Finally, we review the current achievements and limitations associated with the use of exosomes for the diagnosis and treatment of ASCVD.

A comprehensive database of exosome molecular biomarkers and disease-gene associations

Exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communication and can be used as biomarkers for diagnostic and therapeutic clinical applications. However, systematic studies in cancer-associated exosomal nucleic acids remain a big challenge. Here, we developed ExMdb, a comprehensive database of exosomal nucleic acid biomarkers and disease-gene associations curated from published literature and high-throughput datasets. We performed a comprehensive curation of exosome properties including 4,586 experimentally supported gene-disease associations, 13,768 diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers, and 312,049 nucleic acid subcellular locations. To characterize expression variation of exosomal molecules and identify causal factors of complex diseases, we have also collected 164 high-throughput datasets, including bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. Based on these datasets, we performed various bioinformatics and statistical analyses to support our conclusions and advance our knowledge of exosome biology. Collectively, our dataset will serve as an essential resource for investigating the regulatory mechanisms of complex diseases and improving the development of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers.

A Plasma Exosomal Metabolic Profiling of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients Complicated with Impaired Fasting Glucose.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is considered as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Detection of circulating exosomes together with metabolomic analysis of their cargo would provide early signals for metabolic derangements and complications associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Therefore, this study profiled exosomal metabolome of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and impaired fasting glucose. Plasma exosomes were extracted from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with or without impaired fasting glucose through differential ultracentrifugation. Their metabolite profiles were examined by ultrahigh-performance liquid chrom atography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Pathway analysis was carried out on platform MetaboAnalyst 4.0. Thirty-nine patients were enrolled, including nonalcoholic fatty liver disease-alone group (n = 26) and age-and gender-comparable nonalcoholic fatty liver disease plus impaired fasting glucose group (n = 13). Although less than and different from their plasma counterparts, a total of 10 significantly differential exosomal metabolites were identified. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease plus impaired fasting glucose group had higher concentrations of linoleic acid, palmitamide, stearamide, and oleamide, as well as a lower concentration of phosphatidylethanolamine [20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)/20:5(5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z,17Z)]. Pathway analysis showed an obviously changed metabolism of linoleic acid. Metabolomic analysis of plasma exosomes revealed a distinct change in fatty acids and related pathways in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients with impaired fasting glucose. These preliminary results provide a metabolomic snapshot and basis for further investigation of exosome biology for these patients.

Insights into optimizing exosome therapies for acute skin wound healing and other tissue repair.

Exosome therapy holds great promise as a novel approach to improve acute skin wound healing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of exosome biology and its potential applications in acute skin wound healing and beyond. Exosomes, small extracellular vesicles secreted by various stem cells, have emerged as potent mediators of intercellular communication and tissue repair. One advantage of exosome therapy is its ability to avoid potential risks associated with stem cell therapy, such as immune rejection or stem cells differentiating into unwanted cell types. However, further research is necessary to optimize exosome therapy, not only in the areas of exosome isolation, characterization, and engineering, but also in determining the optimal dose, timing, administration, and frequency of exosome therapy. Thus, optimization of exosome therapy is critical for the development of more effective and safer exosome-based therapies for acute skin wound healing and other diseases induced by cancer, ischemia, or inflammation. This review provides valuable insights into the potential of exosome therapy and highlights the need for further research to optimize exosome therapy for clinical use.

Translational studies of exosomes in sports medicine - a mini-review.

This review in sports medicine focuses on the critical role of exosomes in managing chronic conditions and enhancing athletic performance. Exosomes, small vesicles produced by various cells, are essential for cellular communication and transporting molecules like proteins and nucleic acids. Originating from the endoplasmic reticulum, they play a vital role in modulating inflammation and tissue repair. Their significance in sports medicine is increasingly recognized, particularly in healing athletic injuries, improving articular cartilage lesions, and osteoarthritic conditions by modulating cellular behavior and aiding tissue regeneration. Investigations also highlight their potential in boosting athletic performance, especially through myocytes-derived exosomes that may enhance adaptability to physical training. Emphasizing a multidisciplinary approach, this review underlines the need to thoroughly understand exosome biology, including their pathways and classifications, to fully exploit their therapeutic potential. It outlines future directions in sports medicine, focusing on personalized treatments, clinical evaluations, and embracing technological advancements. This research represents a frontier in using exosomes to improve athletes' health and performance capabilities.

Extracellular vesicles and their therapeutic applications: a review article (part 2).

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a fascinating area of research in molecular biology, with diverse therapeutic applications. These small membrane-bound structures, released by cells into the extracellular space, play a crucial role in intercellular communication and hold great potential for advancing medical treatments. The aim of this study is to have a narrative review on the use and therapeutic applications of EVs. Their unique characteristics, including stability, biocompatibility, and the ability to traverse biological barriers, make them promising tools for targeted drug delivery. By engineering EVs to encapsulate specific cargo molecules, such as therapeutic proteins, small interfering RNA (siRNA), or anti-cancer drugs, researchers can enhance drug stability and improve targeted delivery to desired cells or tissues. This approach can minimize off-target effects and improve therapeutic efficacy. Based on our literature search, we found that EVs can be used as biomarkers to predict diseases. Although much progress has been made in understanding the biology and function of exosomes, there are still unanswered questions that require further research. This includes identifying appropriate and safe techniques for producing exosomes in large quantities, determining which types of cells are suitable for exosome donor cells for therapeutic purposes, and investigating the safety of exosomes in human studies. Overall, the use of exosomes in clinical therapeutic applications requires a strong understanding of molecular signaling cascades and exosome profiles, as well as the specificity and sensitivity of biomarker and drug delivery methods.