Exosomes In Cardiovascular Diseases Research Articles

Role of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Exosomes (EXOs) are a subgroup of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that contain numerous biologically active molecules. They exhibit an essential mode of cell communication, primarily between distinct cell populations, for the maintenance of tissue homeostasis and coordination of adaptive responses to various stresses. These intercellular communications are vital for the complex, multicellular cardiovascular system. In the last ten years, their potential role as effective tissue-to-tissue communicators has received increasing attention in cardiovascular physiology and pathology. There is growing evidence that repair of the heart and regeneration can be promoted by EXOs derived from cardiomyocytes or stem/progenitor cells. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. EVs derived from different stem/progenitor cell populations have been used as cell-free therapies in different preclinical models involving cardiovascular diseases and have shown promising results. In this review, we have summarized the recent developments in EXOs research, the impact of EXOs derived from different cells on the cardiovascular system, their potential therapeutic roles as well as new diagnostic biomarkers, and the possible clinical translational outcomes.

Targeted drug delivery of engineered mesenchymal stem/stromal-cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular disease: recent trends and future perspectives.

In recent years, stem cells and their secretomes, notably exosomes, have received considerable attention in biomedical applications. Exosomes are cellular secretomes used for intercellular communication. They perform the function of intercellular messengers by facilitating the transport of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and therapeutic substances. Their biocompatibility, minimal immunogenicity, targetability, stability, and engineerable characteristics have additionally led to their application as drug delivery vehicles. The therapeutic efficacy of exosomes can be improved through surface modification employing functional molecules, including aptamers, antibodies, and peptides. Given their potential as targeted delivery vehicles to enhance the efficiency of treatment while minimizing adverse effects, exosomes exhibit considerable promise. Stem cells are considered advantageous sources of exosomes due to their distinctive characteristics, including regenerative and self-renewal capabilities, which make them well-suited for transplantation into injured tissues, hence promoting tissue regeneration. However, there are notable obstacles that need to be addressed, including immune rejection and ethical problems. Exosomes produced from stem cells have been thoroughly studied as a cell-free strategy that avoids many of the difficulties involved with cell-based therapy for tissue regeneration and cancer treatment. This review provides an in-depth summary and analysis of the existing knowledge regarding exosomes, including their engineering and cardiovascular disease (CVD) treatment applications.

Global Research Trends on Exosome in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Bibliometric-Based Visual Analysis.

Exosomes in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have attracted huge attention with substantial value and potential. Our bibliometrics is based on literature from the field of cardiovascular exosomes over the past 30 years, which has been visualized to display the development process, research hotspots, and cutting-edge trends of clinical practices, mechanisms, and management strategies related to psych cardiology. We selected articles and reviews on exosomes in CVDs from the core collection of Web of Science, and generated visual charts by using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software. Our research included 1613 publications. The number of exosome articles in CVD fluctuates slightly, but overall shows an increasing trend. The main research institutions were Tongji University and Nanjing Medical University. The International Journal of Molecular Sciences has the highest publication volume, while the Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine has the highest citation count. Among all the authors, Eduardo Marban ranks first in terms of publication volume and H-index. The most common keywords are exosome, extracellular vesicles, and angiogenesis. This is a bibliometric study on the research hotspots and trends of exosomes in CVD. Exosome research in the field of cardiovascular medicine is on the rise. Some exosome treatment methods may become the focus of future research.

Unraveling the Intricate Roles of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases: A Comprehensive Review of Physiological Significance and Pathological Implications.

Exosomes, as potent intercellular communication tools, have garnered significant attention due to their unique cargo-carrying capabilities, which enable them to influence diverse physiological and pathological functions. Extensive research has illuminated the biogenesis, secretion, and functions of exosomes. These vesicles are secreted by cells in different states, exerting either protective or harmful biological functions. Emerging evidence highlights their role in cardiovascular disease (CVD) by mediating comprehensive interactions among diverse cell types. This review delves into the significant impacts of exosomes on CVD under stress and disease conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD), myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other cardiomyopathies. Focusing on the cellular signaling and mechanisms, we explore how exosomes mediate multifaceted interactions, particularly contributing to endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in CVD pathogenesis. Additionally, exosomes show great promise as biomarkers, reflecting differential expressions of NcRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs), and as therapeutic carriers for targeted CVD treatment. However, the specific regulatory mechanisms governing exosomes in CVD remain incomplete, necessitating further exploration of their characteristics and roles in various CVD-related contexts. This comprehensive review aims to provide novel insights into the biological implications of exosomes in CVD and offer innovative perspectives on the diagnosis and treatment of CVD.

Analysis of the Research Hotspot of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Disease: A Bibliometric-based Literature Review.

To investigate the current status and development trend of research on exosomes in cardiovascular disease (CVD) using bibliometric analysis and to elucidate trending research topics. Research articles on exosomes in CVD published up to April 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Data were organized using Microsoft Office Excel 2019. CiteSpace 6.1 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 were used for bibliometric analysis and result visualization. Overall, 256 original research publications containing 190 fundamental research publications and 66 clinical research publications were included. "Extracellular vesicle" was the most frequent research keyword, followed by "microrna," "apoptosis," and "angiogenesis." Most publications were from China (187, 73.05%), followed by the United States (57, 22.27%), the United Kingdom (7, 2.73%), and Japan (7, 2.73%). A systematic review of the publications revealed that myocardial infarction and stroke were the most popular topics and that exosomes and their contents, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), play positive roles in neuroprotection, inhibition of autophagy and apoptosis, promotion of angiogenesis, and protection of cardiomyocytes. Research on exosomes in CVD has attracted considerable attention, with China having the most published studies. Fundamental research has focused on CVD pathogenesis; exosomes regulate the progression of CVD through biological processes, such as the inflammatory response, autophagy, and apoptosis. Clinical research has focused on biomarkers for CVD; studies on using miRNAs in exosomes as disease markers for diagnosis could become a future trend.

Exosomes in Cardiovascular Disease: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Target.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In recent decades, clinical research has made significant advances, resulting in improved survival and recovery rates for patients with CVD. Despite this progress, there is substantial residual CVD risk and an unmet need for better treatment. The complex and multifaceted pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of CVD pose a challenge for researchers seeking effective therapeutic interventions. Consequently, exosomes have emerged as a new focus for CVD research because their role as intercellular communicators gives them the potential to act as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic nanocarriers. In the heart and vasculature, cell types such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle, cardiac fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, and resident stem cells are involved in cardiac homeostasis via the release of exosomes. Exosomes encapsulate cell-type specific miRNAs, and this miRNA content fluctuates in response to the pathophysiological setting of the heart, indicating that the pathways affected by these differentially expressed miRNAs may be targets for new treatments. This review discusses a number of miRNAs and the evidence that supports their clinical relevance in CVD. The latest technologies in applying exosomal vesicles as cargo delivery vehicles for gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and cell repair are described.

Therapeutic potentials of stem cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular diseases.

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by many cell types with varying compositions. Major bioactive factors present in exosomes are protein, lipid, mRNA, and miRNA. Exosomes are fundamental regulators of cellular trafficking and signaling in both physiological and pathological conditions. Various conditions such as oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, ribosomal stress, and thermal stress alter the concentration of exosomal mRNA, and miRNA, lipids, and proteins. Stem cell-derived exosomes have been shown to regulate a variety of stresses, either inhibiting or promoting cell balance. Stem cell-derived exosomes direct the crosstalk between various cell types which helps recovery by transferring information in proteins, lipids, and so on. This is one of the reasons why exosomes are used as biomarkers for a multitude of disease conditions. This review highlights the bioengineering of fabricated exosomal cargoes. It includes the manipulation and delivery of specific exosomal cargoes such as noncoding RNAs, recombinant proteins, immune modulators, therapeutic drugs, and small molecules. Such therapeutic approaches may precisely deliver the therapeutic drugs at the target site in the management of various disease conditions. Importantly, we have focused on the therapeutic applications of stem cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular disease conditions such as myocardial infarction, ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, sepsis, and cardiac fibrosis. Generally, two approaches are being followed by researchers for exosomal bioengineering. This literature review will shed light on the role of stem cell-derived exosomes in stress balance and provides a new avenue for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

MiR-186-5p Dysregulation in Serum Exosomes from Patients with AMI Aggravates Atherosclerosis via Targeting LOX-1.

The formation of macrophage-derived foam cells via the uptake of modified lipoproteins is a pivotal development event in atherosclerosis. It has been reported that clinical and experimental myocardial infarction could accelerate atherosclerosis. Several studies have suggested the critical role of exosomes in cardiovascular diseases. However, the role of exosomes from patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients in atherogenesis remains unclear. Serum exosomes from AMI patients (AMI-Exo) and control individuals (Con-Exo) were isolated and characterized. These exosomes were studied in vitro and in vivo to determine their impact on macrophage foaming and atherogenesis. Our results showed that AMI-Exo promoted foam cell formation in oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-treated macrophages and progression of atherosclerosis in high-fat/cholesterol diet-fed ApoE-/- mice together with a significantly upregulated levels of lectin-like ox-LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). The miR-186-5p was found to be downregulated in AMI-Exo and macrophages administered with AMI-Exo. Moreover, serum exosomal miR-186-5p achieved high diagnostic performance for AMI. Luciferase reporter assay indicated that miR-186-5p directly inhibited LOX-1. The endogenous or exogenous miR-186-5p deficiency enhanced lipid accumulation by upregulating LOX-1, whereas miR-186-5p mimics had a reverse effect. In conclusion, the current findings suggest that dysregulated miR-186-5p in AMI-Exo may explain the contribution of acute ischemia events to the advancement of atherosclerosis by enhancing macrophage foaming via its target, LOX-1.

The Role of Platelet Exosomes in Atherogenic Thrombosis --Review

Exosomes are subtypes of extracellur vesicles containing a variety of cell-specific proteins, lipids and nucleic acids released during cell activation or apoptosis, and play the role of intercellur communication mediators in different physiological and pathological processes. With the development of research in recent years, the role of platelet-derived exosomes in cardiovascular diseases has attracted extensive attention. This paper reviews the role of platelet-derived exosomes in atherosclerotic thrombosis and the potential role of platelet-derived exosomes as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of atherosclerotic thrombotic disease and the problems to be solved.

Potential application of biomimetic exosomes in cardiovascular disease: focused on ischemic heart disease

Cardiovascular disease, especially ischemic heart disease, is a major cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiac repair is one of the most promising strategies to address advanced cardiovascular diseases. Despite moderate improvement in heart function via stem cell therapy, there is no evidence of significant improvement in mortality and morbidity beyond standard therapy. The most salutary effect of stem cell therapy are attributed to the paracrine effects and the stem cell-derived exosomes are known as a major contributor. Hence, exosomes are emerging as a promising therapeutic agent and potent biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. Furthermore, they play a role as cellular cargo and facilitate intercellular communication. However, the clinical use of exosomes is hindered by the absence of a standard operating procedures for exosome isolation and characterization, problems related to yield, and heterogeneity. In addition, the successful clinical application of exosomes requires strategies to optimize cargo, improve targeted delivery, and reduce the elimination of exosomes. In this review, we discuss the basic concept of exosomes and stem cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular disease, and introduce current efforts to overcome the limitations and maximize the benefit of exosomes including engineered biomimetic exosomes.

A narrative review of the research status of exosomes in cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major health problem worldwide, and medical workers are actively seeking new and effective methods to predict and treat CVDs. Exosomes are secreted by a variety of cells and exist in a variety of body fluids and tissues. Exosomes play an important role in signal transmission between cells and participate in various physiological and pathological activities of the organism. We sought to identify new diagnosis and treatment ideas related to the application of exosomes in CVDs. In the cardiovascular system, exosomes are related to endothelial cells, cardiomyocytes, vascular cells, stem cells, and progenitor cells. They can promote angiogenesis, inhibit ventricular remodeling, improve heart function, inhibit local inflammation, and regulate immune responses. They play an important role in the development, injury, and disease of the cardiovascular system. However, as an emerging field, researchers are still trying to fully understand the role of exosomes and their mechanisms in mediating heart repair. We searched the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, PubMed, and Web of Science databases to find relevant articles. The Chinese and English search terms were "exosomes" and "cardiovascular disease". Ultimately, 96 articles were included in the review. Exosomes play an important role in the cardiovascular system, and are widely involved in the occurrence and development of CVDs, such as atherosclerosis (AS), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), heart failure (HF), myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, pulmonary hypertension (PH), and diabetic heart disease. In this review, we summarize research on exosomes in relation to the mechanisms, diagnoses and treatments of CVDs. We also provide new diagnosis and treatment ideas, and promote the clinical application of exosomes.

Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases: Pathological Potential of Nano-Messenger.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) represent a major global health problem, due to their continued high incidences and mortality. The last few decades have witnessed new advances in clinical research which led to increased survival and recovery in CVD patients. Nevertheless, elusive and multifactorial pathophysiological mechanisms of CVD development perplexed researchers in identifying efficacious therapeutic interventions. Search for novel and effective strategies for diagnosis, prevention, and intervention for CVD has shifted research focus on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in recent years. By transporting molecular cargo from donor to recipient cells, EVs modulate gene expression and influence the phenotype of recipient cells, thus EVs prove to be an imperative component of intercellular signaling. Elucidation of the role of EVs in intercellular communications under physiological conditions implied the enormous potential of EVs in monitoring and treatment of CVD. The EVs secreted from the myriad of cells in the cardiovascular system such as cardiomyocytes, cardiac fibroblasts, cardiac progenitor cells, endothelial cells, inflammatory cells may facilitate the communication in physiological and pathological conditions. Understanding EVs-mediated cellular communication may delineate the mechanism of origin and progression of cardiovascular diseases. The current review summarizes exosome-mediated paracrine signaling leading to cardiovascular disease. The mechanistic role of exosomes in cardiovascular disease will provide novel avenues in designing diagnosis and therapeutic interventions.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases From 2001 to 2021.

Background: Exosomes in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have become an active research field with substantial value and potential. Nevertheless, there are few bibliometric studies in this field. We aimed to visualize the research hotspots and trends of exosomes in CVDs using a bibliometric analysis to help understand the future development of basic and clinical research.Methods: The articles and reviews regarding exosomes in the CVDs were culled from the Web of Science Core Collection, and knowledge maps were generated using CiteSpace and VOSviewer software.Results: A total of 1,039 articles were included. The number of exosome articles in the CVDs increased yearly. These publications came from 60 countries/regions, led by the US and China. The primary research institutions were Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Nanjing Medical University. Circulation Research was the journal and co-cited journal with the most studies. We identified 473 authors among which Lucio Barile had the most significant number of articles and Thery C was co-cited most often. After analysis, the most common keywords are myocardium infarction, microRNA and mesenchymal stem cells. Ischemic heart disease, pathogenesis, regeneration, stem cells, targeted therapy, biomarkers, cardiac protection, and others are current and developing areas of study.Conclusion: We identified the research hotspots and trends of exosomes in CVDs using bibliometric and visual methods. Research on exosomes is flourishing in the cardiovascular medicine. Regenerative medicine, exosome engineering, delivery vehicles, and biomarkers will likely become the focus of future research.

Emerging role of exosomes in arterial and renal calcification.

Exosomes are small, cell-derived vesicles of 30-100 nm that participate in cell-to-cell communication. They are released by many cells, such as dendritic cells (DC), lymphocytes, platelets, epithelial cells, endothelial cells (EC), and are found in most body fluids, including blood, saliva, urine, and breast milk. The exosomes released from cells within the cardiovascular system may contain either inhibitors of calcification in normal physiological conditions or promoters in the pathological environment [atherosclerosis (AS), and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)]. The exosomes of the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are novel players in vascular repair processes and calcification. Several studies have shown that the cytoplasmic contents of exosomes are rich in a variety of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids. Currently, exosomal micro RNAs and proteins are increasingly being recognized as biomarkers for the diagnosis of several diseases, including those of kidney and liver, as well as different types of cancer. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the role of exosomes in vascular calcification and their potential applications as diagnostic markers as well as a brief overview of the role of stem cell-derived exosomes in cardiovascular diseases.

Treatment of Oxidative Stress with Exosomes in Myocardial Ischemia.

A thrombus in a coronary artery causes ischemia, which eventually leads to myocardial infarction (MI) if not removed. However, removal generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which causes ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury that damages the tissue and exacerbates the resulting MI. The mechanism of I/R injury is currently extensively understood. However, supplementation of exogenous antioxidants is ineffective against oxidative stress (OS). Enhancing the ability of endogenous antioxidants may be a more effective way to treat OS, and exosomes may play a role as targeted carriers. Exosomes are nanosized vesicles wrapped in biofilms which contain various complex RNAs and proteins. They are important intermediate carriers of intercellular communication and material exchange. In recent years, diagnosis and treatment with exosomes in cardiovascular diseases have gained considerable attention. Herein, we review the new findings of exosomes in the regulation of OS in coronary heart disease, discuss the possibility of exosomes as carriers for the targeted regulation of endogenous ROS generation, and compare the advantages of exosome therapy with those of stem-cell therapy. Finally, we explore several miRNAs found in exosomes against OS.

Exosome-Derived Mediators as Potential Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Diseases: A Network Approach.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are widely recognized as the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Despite the advances in clinical management over the past decades, the underlying pathological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Exosomes have drawn the attention of researchers for their relevance in intercellular communication under both physiological and pathological conditions. These vesicles are suggested as complementary prospective biomarkers of CVDs; however, the role of exosomes in CVDs is still not fully elucidated. Here, we performed a literature search on exosomal biogenesis, characteristics, and functions, as well as the different available exosomal isolation techniques. Moreover, aiming to give new insights into the interaction between exosomes and CVDs, network analysis on the role of exosome-derived mediators in coronary artery disease (CAD) and heart failure (HF) was also performed to incorporate the different sources of information. The upregulated exosomal miRNAs miR-133a, miR-208a, miR-1, miR-499-5p, and miR-30a were described for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction, while the exosome-derived miR-192, miR-194, miR-146a, and miR-92b-5p were considered as potential biomarkers for HF development. In CAD patients, upregulated exosomal proteins, including fibrinogen beta/gamma chain, inter-alpha-trypsin inhibitor heavy chain, and alpha-1 antichymotrypsin, were assessed as putative protein biomarkers. From downregulated proteins in CAD patients, albumin, clusterin, and vitamin D-binding protein were considered relevant to assess prognosis. The Vesiclepedia database included miR-133a of exosomal origin upregulated in patients with CAD and the exosomal miR-192, miR-194, and miR-146a upregulated in patients with HF. Additionally, Vesiclepedia included 5 upregulated and 13 downregulated exosomal proteins in patients in CAD. The non-included miRNAs and proteins have not yet been identified in exosomes and can be proposed for further research. This report highlights the need for further studies focusing on the identification and validation of miRNAs and proteins of exosomal origin as biomarkers of CAD and HF, which will enable, using exosomal biomarkers, the guiding of diagnosis/prognosis in CVDs.

Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases.

Exosomes are nano-sized biovesicles of endocytic origin physiologically released by nearly all cell types into surrounding body fluids. They carry cell-specific cargos of protein, lipids, and genetic materials and can be selectively taken up by neighboring or distant cells. Since the intrinsic properties of exosomes are strictly influenced by the state of the parental cell and by the cellular microenvironment, the analysis of exosome origin and content, and their cell-targeting specificity, make them attractive as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. While the possible role of exosomes as messengers and a regenerative tool in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is actively investigated, the evidence about their usefulness as biomarkers is still limited and incomplete. Further complications are due to the lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate approach for exosome isolation and characterization, both important issues for their effective clinical translation. As a consequence, in this review, we will discuss the few information currently accessible about the diagnostic/prognostic potential of exosomes in CVDs and on the methodologies available for exosome isolation, analysis, and characterization.

Proteomics of Extracellular Vesicles: Update on Their Composition, Biological Roles and Potential Use as Diagnostic Tools in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bound vesicles released from cells under physiological and pathological conditions. Basing on biogenesis, dimension, content and route of secretion, they can be classified into exosomes, microvesicles (MVs) and apoptotic bodies. EVs have a key role as bioactive mediators in intercellular communication, but they are also involved in other physiological processes like immune response, blood coagulation, and tissue repair. The interest in studying EVs has increased over the years due to their involvement in several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and their potential role as biomarkers in diagnosis, therapy, and in drug delivery system development. Nowadays, the improvement of mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques allows the characterization of the EV protein composition to deeply understand their role in several diseases. In this review, a critical overview is provided on the EV’s origin and physical properties, as well as their emerging functional role in both physiological and disease conditions, focusing attention on the role of exosomes in CVDs. The most important cardiac exosome proteomic studies will be discussed giving a qualitative and quantitative characterization of the exosomal proteins that could be used in future as new potential diagnostic markers or targets for specific therapies.

Endothelial progenitor cell–derived exosomes ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in a mouse model of diabetes

Atherosclerosis is a serious cardiovascular complication of diabetes characterized by inflammation and endothelial damage. Indeed, dysfunction of the endothelium is considered an early marker of atherosclerosis. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are prerequisites for blood vessels lined with endothelial cells (ECs), which produce many factors to regulate blood vessel function. Importantly, EPCs also repair some dysfunctions in ECs. Exosomes have been associated with the occurrence and development of disease. Here, we analyzed the microRNAs (miRNAs) contained in exosomes derived from EPCs by using next-generation sequencing. We found that most of the top 10 highest expressed miRNAs in these exosomes were related to atherosclerosis. In a mouse model of atherosclerotic diabetes, treatment with EPC-derived exosomes significantly reduced the production of diabetic atherosclerotic plaques and inflammatory factors. In an in vitro assay examining the contractility of the thoracic aorta from these mice, the addition of EPC-derived exosomes significantly ameliorated the observed endothelium-dependent contractile dysfunction. Taken together, these results indicated that EPC-derived exosomes ameliorated atherosclerotic endothelial dysfunction in a mouse model of atherosclerotic diabetes. Thus, the present study provides a potential therapeutic application of EPC-derived exosomes in cardiovascular disease.

Small but significant: Insights and new perspectives of exosomes in cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major health problem worldwide, and health professionals are still actively seeking new and effective approaches for CVDs treatment. Presently, extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, have gained its popularity for CVDs treatment because of their function as messengers for inter‐ and extra‐cellular communications to promote cellular functions in cardiovascular system. However, as a newly developed field, researchers are still trying to fully understand the role of exosomes, and their mechanism in mediating cardiac repair process. Therefore, a comprehensive review of this topic can be timely and favourable. In this review, we summarized the basic biogenesis and characterization of exosomes and then further extended the focus on the circulating exosomes in cellular communication and stem cell‐derived exosomes in cardiac disease treatment. In addition, we covered interactions between the heart and other organs through exosomes, leading to the diagnostic characteristics of exosomes in CVDs. Future perspectives and limitations of exosomes in CVDs were also discussed with a special focus on exploring the potential delivery routes, targeting the injured tissue and engineering novel exosomes, as well as its potential as one novel target in the metabolism‐related puzzle.