Introduction to Extracellular Vesicles: Biogenesis, RNA Cargo Selection, Content, Release, and Uptake

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell‑derived exosomes: A novel therapeutic agent for tendon‑bone healing (Review)

In sports medicine, injuries related to the insertion of tendons into bones, including rotator cuff injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injuries and Achilles tendon ruptures, are commonly observed. However, traditional therapies have proven to be insufficient in achieving satisfactory outcomes due to the intricate anatomical structure associated with these injuries. Adult bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells possess self‑renewal and multi‑directional differentiation potential and can generate various mesenchymal tissues to aid in the recovery of bone, cartilage, adipose tissue and bone marrow hematopoietic tissue. In addition, extracellular vesicles derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells known as exosomes, contain lipids, proteins and nucleic acids that govern the tissue microenvironment, facilitate tissue repair and perform various biological functions. Studies have demonstrated that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell‑derived exosomes can function as natural nanocapsules for drug delivery and can enhance tendon‑bone healing strength. The present review discusses the latest research results on the role of exosomes released by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in tendon‑bone healing and provides valuable information for implementing these techniques in regenerative medicine and sports health.

Protective efficacy of Toxoplasma gondii infected cells-derived exosomes against chronic murine toxoplasmosis

Exosomes were isolated from T. gondii infected human hepatoblastoma cells using the exosome isolation kit and characterized by electron microscopy and Western blotting. Exosomes adsorbed to alum adjuvant were evaluated as a potential immunizing agent against murine chronic toxoplasmosis compared to excretory secretory antigens (ESA)-alum. Mice were immunized at days 1, 15 and 29. The levels of IgG, IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-10, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were determined using sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (sandwich ELISA) at days 14, 28 and 56 of the experiment. Then mice were infected orally with 10 cysts of T. gondii. The protective efficacy of the antigens were evaluated by counting the brain cysts and measuring the aforementioned humoral and cellular parameters 60 days post infection. The results showed that alum increased the protective efficacy of the exosomes. Immunization with exosome-alum induced both humoral and mixed Th1/Th2 cellular immune responses. Exosome-alum gave higher levels of the humoral and cellular parameters, compared to ESA-alum. After challenge infection, exosome-alum significantly reduced the brain cyst burden by 75 % while ESA-alum gave 42 % reduction and evoked higher humoral and cellular immune responses. Therefore, the possibility of using T. gondii infected cells-derived exosome-alum as a vaccine is a new perspective in toxoplasmosis.

Nanotherapy for bone repair: milk-derived small extracellular vesicles delivery of icariin

Icariin (ICA) played an important role in the treatment of inflammatory bone defects. However, pharmacokinetic studies have shown that its poor bioavailability limited its application. In this context, we isolated bovine milk-derived sEV and prepared sEV-ICA to improve the osteogenic effect of ICA. In this study, we successfully constructed sEV-ICA. sEV-ICA was found to have significantly higher osteogenic efficiency than ICA in cell culture and cranial bone defect models. Mechanistically, bioinformatics analysis predicted that signal transducers and activators of transcription 5 (STAT5a) may bind to the GJA1 promoter, while luciferase activity assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) experiments confirmed that STAT5a directly binded to the GJA1 promoter to promote osteogenesis. We proved that compared with ICA, sEV-ICA showed a better effect of promoting bone repair in vivo and in vitro. In addition, sEV-ICA could promote osteogenesis by promoting the combination of STAT5a and GJA1 promoter. In summary, as a complex drug delivery system, sEV-ICA constituted a rapid and effective method for the treatment of bone defects and could improve the osteogenic activity of ICA.

Therapeutic potential and pharmacological significance of extracellular vesicles derived from traditional medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are the primary sources for the discovery of novel medicines and the basis of ethnopharmacological research. While existing studies mainly focus on the chemical compounds, there is little research about the functions of other contents in medicinal plants. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are functionally active, nanoscale, membrane-bound vesicles secreted by almost all eukaryotic cells. Intriguingly, plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) also have been implicated to play an important role in therapeutic application. PDEVs were reported to have physical and chemical properties similar to mammalian EVs, which are rich in lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and pharmacologically active compounds. Besides these properties, PDEVs also exhibit unique advantages, especially intrinsic bioactivity, high stability, and easy absorption. PDEVs were found to be transferred into recipient cells and significantly affect their biological process involved in many diseases, such as inflammation and tumors. PDEVs also could offer unique morphological and compositional characteristics as natural nanocarriers by innately shuttling bioactive lipids, RNA, proteins, and other pharmacologically active substances. In addition, PDEVs could effectively encapsulate hydrophobic and hydrophilic chemicals, remain stable, and cross stringent biological barriers. Thus, this study focuses on the pharmacological action and mechanisms of PDEVs in therapeutic applications. We also systemically deal with facets of PDEVs, ranging from their isolation to composition, biological functions, and biotherapeutic roles. Efforts are also made to elucidate recent advances in re-engineering PDEVs applied as stable, effective, and non-immunogenic therapeutic applications to meet the ever-stringent demands. Considering its unique advantages, these studies not only provide relevant scientific evidence on therapeutic applications but could also replenish and inherit precious cultural heritage.

Clathrin light chain A facilitates small extracellular vesicle uptake to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression

BACKGROUND

Endocytosis is a fundamental process for internalizing small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). The present study aimed to elucidate the role of clathrin light chain A (CLTA) in sEV uptake in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

CLTA expression was analyzed by bioinformatics, quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. The clinical relevance of CLTA was analyzed by Fisher's exact test, Kaplan-Meier analysis, and multivariate cox regression model. The functions of CLTA in sEV uptake and cancerous properties were examined by PKH67-sEV uptake, MTT, colony formation, and transwell assays. Mass spectrometry was used to identify the downstream effectors of CLTA. CLTA inhibitor, Pitstop 2, was tested in a mouse model of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs).

RESULTS

CLTA expression was higher in tumor tissues than in non-tumorous liver tissues and progressively increased from the early to late tumor stage. CLTA overexpression was associated with larger tumor size and poor prognosis in HCC. Cellular CLTA contributed to the sEV uptake, resulting in enhanced cancerous properties. Mechanistically, CLTA increases capping actin protein gelsolin-like (CAPG) expression to facilitate sEV uptake, thereby promoting the proliferation, motility, and invasiveness of HCC cells. What's more, the CLTA inhibitor Pitstop 2 alone or in combination with sorafenib attenuated tumor growth in mice implanted with PDXs.

CONCLUSIONS

The study reveals the role of CLTA in sEV uptake to promote HCC progression. Inhibition of CLTA and its mediated pathway illuminate a new therapeutic strategy for HCC patients.

Exosomes: New Insights into the Pathogenesis of Metabolic Syndrome

Exosomes are a subtype of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a diameter of 30~150 nm (averaging ~100 nm) that are primarily produced through the endosomal pathway, and carry various components such as lipids, proteins, RNA, and other small molecular substances. Exosomes can mediate intercellular communication through the bioactive substances they carry, thus participating in different physiological activities. Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a disease caused by disturbances in the body's metabolism, mainly including insulin resistance (IR), diabetes, obesity, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis (AS). Recent studies have shown that exosomes are closely related to the occurrence and development of MS. Exosomes can act as messengers to mediate signaling transductions between metabolic cells in the organism and play a bidirectional regulatory role in the MS process. This paper mainly reviews the components, biogenesis, biological functions and potential applications of exosomes, and exosomes involved in the pathogenesis of MS as well as their clinical significance in MS diagnosis.

Extracellular Vesicles: Therapeutic Potential in Central Nervous System Trauma by Regulating Cell Death

CNS (central nervous system) trauma, which is classified as SCI (spinal cord injury) and TBI (traumatic brain injury), is gradually becoming a major cause of accidental death and disability worldwide. Many previous studies have verified that the pathophysiological mechanism underlying cell death and the subsequent neuroinflammation caused by cell death are pivotal factors in the progression of CNS trauma. Simultaneously, EVs (extracellular vesicles), membrane-enclosed particles produced by almost all cell types, have been proven to mediate cell-to-cell communication, and cell death involves complex interactions among molecules. EVs have also been proven to be effective carriers of loaded bioactive components to areas of CNS trauma. Therefore, EVs are promising therapeutic targets to cure CNS trauma. However, the link between EVs and various types of cell death in the context of CNS trauma remains unknown. Therefore, in this review, we summarize the mechanism underlying EV effects, the relationship between EVs and cell death and the pathophysiology underlying EV effects on the CNS trauma based on information in published papers. In addition, we discuss the prospects of applying EVs to the CNS as feasible therapeutic strategies for CNS trauma in the future.

Validation of potential RNA biomarkers for prostate cancer diagnosis and monitoring in plasma and urinary extracellular vesicles

Introduction: Prostate cancer (PCa), one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting men worldwide, presents significant challenges in terms of early detection, risk stratification, and active surveillance. In recent years, liquid biopsies have emerged as a promising non-invasive approach to complement or even replace traditional tissue biopsies. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), nanosized membranous structures released by various cells into body fluids, have gained substantial attention as a source of cancer biomarkers due to their ability to encapsulate and transport a wide range of biological molecules, including RNA. In this study, we aimed to validate 15 potential RNA biomarkers, identified in a previous EV RNA sequencing study, using droplet digital PCR. Methods: The candidate biomarkers were tested in plasma and urinary EVs collected before and after radical prostatectomy from 30 PCa patients and their diagnostic potential was evaluated in a test cohort consisting of 20 benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 20 PCa patients' plasma and urinary EVs. Next, the results were validated in an independent cohort of plasma EVs from 31 PCa and 31 BPH patients. Results: We found that the levels of NKX3-1 (p = 0.0008) in plasma EVs, and tRF-Phe-GAA-3b (p < 0.0001) tRF-Lys-CTT-5c (p < 0.0327), piR-28004 (p = 0.0081) and miR-375-3p (p < 0.0001) in urinary EVs significantly decreased after radical prostatectomy suggesting that the main tissue source of these RNAs is prostate and/or PCa. Two mRNA biomarkers-GLO1 and NKX3-1 showed promising diagnostic potential in distinguishing between PCa and BPH with AUC of 0.68 and 0.82, respectively, in the test cohort and AUC of 0.73 and 0.65, respectively, in the validation cohort, when tested in plasma EVs. Combining these markers in a biomarker model yielded AUC of 0.85 and 0.71 in the test and validation cohorts, respectively. Although the PSA levels in the blood could not distinguish PCa from BPH in our cohort, adding PSA to the mRNA biomarker model increased AUC from 0.71 to 0.76. Conclusion: This study identified two novel EV-enclosed RNA biomarkers-NKX3-1 and GLO1-for the detection of PCa, and highlights the complementary nature of GLO1, NKX3-1 and PSA as combined biomarkers in liquid biopsies of PCa.

Cellular and Molecular Connections Between Bone Fracture Healing and Exosomes

Fracture healing is a multifaceted process that requires various phases and intercellular interactions. In recent years, investigations have been conducted to assess the feasibility of utilizing exosomes, small extracellular vesicles (EVs), to enhance and accelerate the healing process. Exosomes serve as a cargo transport platform, facilitating intercellular communication, promoting the presentation of antigens to dendritic cells, and stimulating angiogenesis. Exosomes have a special structure that gives them a special function, especially in the healing process of bone injuries. This article provides an overview of cellular and molecular processes associated with bone fracture healing, as well as a survey of existing exosome research in this context. We also discuss the potential use of exosomes in fracture healing, as well as the obstacles that must be overcome to make this a viable clinical practice.

Emerging Microfluidic Tools for Simultaneous Exosomes and Cargo Biosensing in Liquid Biopsy: New Integrated Miniaturized FFF-Assisted Approach for Colon Cancer Diagnosis

The early-stage diagnosis of cancer is a crucial clinical need. The inadequacies of surgery tissue biopsy have prompted a transition to a less invasive profiling of molecular biomarkers from biofluids, known as liquid biopsy. Exosomes are phospholipid bilayer vesicles present in many biofluids with a biologically active cargo, being responsible for cell-to-cell communication in biological systems. An increase in their excretion and changes in their cargo are potential diagnostic biomarkers for an array of diseases, including cancer, and they constitute a promising analyte for liquid biopsy. The number of exosomes released, the morphological properties, the membrane composition, and their content are highly related to the physiological and pathological states. The main analytical challenge to establishing liquid biopsy in clinical practice is the development of biosensors able to detect intact exosomes concentration and simultaneously analyze specific membrane biomarkers and those contained in their cargo. Before analysis, exosomes also need to be isolated from biological fluids. Microfluidic systems can address several issues present in conventional methods (i.e., ultracentrifugation, size-exclusion chromatography, ultrafiltration, and immunoaffinity capture), which are time-consuming and require a relatively high amount of sample; in addition, they can be easily integrated with biosensing systems. A critical review of emerging microfluidic-based devices for integrated biosensing approaches and following the major analytical need for accurate diagnostics is presented here. The design of a new miniaturized biosensing system is also reported. A device based on hollow-fiber flow field-flow fractionation followed by luminescence-based immunoassay is applied to isolate intact exosomes and characterize their cargo as a proof of concept for colon cancer diagnosis.

Trichomonas vaginalis: Monolayer and Cluster Formation-Ultrastructural Aspects Using High-Resolution Scanning Electron Microscopy

Trichomonas vaginalis is an extracellular protozoan parasite that causes human trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that affects approximately 270 million people worldwide. The phenomenon of T. vaginalis adhesion to inert substrates has been described in several reports. Still, very few studies on cluster formation have been conducted, and more detailed analyses of the contact regions between the parasites' membranes in these aggregate formations have not been carried out. The present study aims to show that T. vaginalis forms a tight monolayer, similar to an epithelium, with parasites firmly adhered to the culture flask bottom by interdigitations and in the absence of host cells. In addition, we analyzed and compared the formation of the clusters, focusing on parasite aggregates that float in the culture flasks. We employed various imaging techniques, including high-resolution scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, cytochemistry, TEM tomography, and dye injection. We analyzed whether the monolayer behaves as an epithelium, analyzing cell junctions, cell communication, and ultrastructural aspects, and concluded that monolayer formation differs from cluster formation in many aspects. The monolayers form strong adhesion, whereas the clusters have fragile attachments. We did not find fusion or the passage of molecules between neighbor-attached cells; there is no need for different strains to form filopodia, cytonemes, and extracellular vesicles during cluster and monolayer formation.

High throughput screening of mesenchymal stromal cell morphological response to inflammatory signals for bioreactor-based manufacturing of extracellular vesicles that modulate microglia

Due to their immunomodulatory function, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic with the potential to treat neuroinflammation associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This function can be mediated by secreted extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs). Despite established safety, MSC clinical translation has been unsuccessful due to inconsistent clinical outcomes resulting from functional heterogeneity. Current approaches to mitigate functional heterogeneity include 'priming' MSCs with inflammatory signals to enhance function. However, comprehensive evaluation of priming and its effects on MSC-EV function has not been performed. Clinical translation of MSC-EV therapies requires significant manufacturing scale-up, yet few studies have investigated the effects of priming in bioreactors. As MSC morphology has been shown to predict their immunomodulatory function, we screened MSC morphological response to an array of priming signals and evaluated MSC-EV identity and potency in response to priming in flasks and bioreactors. We identified unique priming conditions corresponding to distinct morphologies. These conditions demonstrated a range of MSC-EV preparation quality and lipidome, allowing us to discover a novel MSC-EV manufacturing condition, as well as gain insight into potential mechanisms of MSC-EV microglia modulation. Our novel screening approach and application of priming to MSC-EV bioreactor manufacturing informs refinement of larger-scale manufacturing and enhancement of MSC-EV function.

Extracellular vesicles derived from different tissues attenuate cardiac dysfunction in murine MI models

BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from various cell sources exert cardioprotective effects during cardiac ischemic injury. Our previous study confirmed that EVs derived from ischemic-reperfusion injured heart tissue aggravated cardiac inflammation and dysfunction. However, the role of EVs derived from normal cardiac tissue in myocardial ischemic injury remains elusive.

RESULTS

In the present study, normal heart-derived EVs (cEVs) and kidney-derived EVs (nEVs) were isolated and intramyocardially injected into mice after myocardial infarction (MI). We demonstrated that administration of both cEVs and nEVs significantly improved cardiac function, reduced the scar size, and alleviated inflammatory infiltration into the heart. In addition, cardiomyocyte apoptosis was inhibited, whereas angiogenesis was enhanced in the hearts receiving cEVs or nEVs treatment. Moreover, intramyocardial injection of cEVs displayed much better cardiac protective efficacy than nEVs in murine MI models. RNA-seq and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed the protective mRNA clusters in both cEVs and nEVs. These mRNAs were involved in multiple signaling pathways, which may synergistically orchestrate to prevent the heart from further damage post MI.

CONCLUSIONS

Collectively, our results indicated that EVs derived from normal heart tissue may represent a promising strategy for cardiac protection in ischemic heart diseases.

Biological, pathological, and multifaceted therapeutic functions of exosomes to target cancer

Exosomes, small tiny vesicle contains a large number of intracellular particles that employ to cause various diseases and prevent several pathological events as well in the human body. It is considered a "double-edged sword", and depending on its biological source, the action of exosomes varies under physiological conditions. Also, the isolation and characterization of the exosomes should be performed accurately and the methodology also will vary depending on the exosome source. Moreover, the uptake of exosomes from the recipients' cells is a vital and initial step for all the physiological actions. There are different mechanisms present in the exosomes' cellular uptake to deliver their cargo to acceptor cells. Once the exosomal uptake takes place, it releases the intracellular particles that leads to activate the physiological response. Even though exosomes have lavish functions, there are some challenges associated with every step of their preparation to bring potential therapeutic efficacy. So, overcoming the pitfalls would give a desired quantity of exosomes with high purity.

Unravelling the Role of Cancer Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Muscle Atrophy, Lipolysis, and Cancer-Associated Cachexia

Cancer-associated cachexia is a metabolic syndrome that causes significant reduction in whole-body weight due to excessive loss of muscle mass accompanied by loss of fat mass. Reduced food intake and several metabolic abnormalities, such as increased energy expenditure, excessive catabolism, and inflammation, are known to drive cachexia. It is well documented that cancer cells secrete EVs in abundance which can be easily taken up by the recipient cell. The cargo biomolecules carried by the EVs have the potential to alter the signalling pathways and function of the recipient cells. EV cargo includes proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and metabolites. Tumour-secreted EVs have been found to alter the metabolic and biological functions of adipose and muscle tissue, which aids in the development of the cachexia phenotype. To date, no medical intervention or FDA-approved drug exists that can completely reverse cachexia. Therefore, understanding how cancer-derived EVs contribute to the onset and progression of cancer-associated cachexia may help with the identification of new biomarkers as well as provide access to novel treatment alternatives. The goal of this review article is to discuss the most recent research on cancer-derived EVs and their function in cellular crosstalk that promotes catabolism in muscle and adipose tissue during cancer-induced cachexia.

Autocrine role of senescent cardiac fibroblasts-derived extracellular vesicles

Cellular senescence is a highly stable state associated with cell cycle arrest, that is elicited in response to various stresses. The accumulation of senescent cells in tissues drives age-related diseases. Recent studies have shown that the cellular senescence enhances an extracellular vesicles (EV) secretion. EV are lipid-bilayer-capsuled particles released by various cells mediating cell-to-cell communication. It was recently reported that EV secreted by the senescent cells had several functions such as cancer cell proliferation and immune cell activation. In the present study, we investigated whether senescent cardiac fibroblasts-derived EV play an autocrine/paracrine role in the heart cells. Neonatal rat cardiac fibroblasts (NRCFs) were treated with doxorubicin (DOX) to induce cellular senescence. EV were isolated from NRCFs culture media. The vehicle-treated NRCFs-derived EV (D0-EV, 72 hr) increased a living cell number in NRCFs, which was attenuated by DOX (1,000 nM)-treated NRCFs-derived EV (D103-EV, 72 hr). While D0-EV did not affect protein concentration in NRCFs, D103-EV decreased it. Furthermore, D103-EV significantly increased a ratio of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3)-II to LC3-I in NRCFs, indicating an induction of autophagy. In addition, D103-EV increased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated kinase (AMPK) α in NRCFs. In neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, however, NRCFs-derived EV (72 hr) had no effect on the living cell number, protein concentration, and ratio of LC3-II to LC3-I. In conclusion, we for the first time revealed that DOX-induced senescent NRCFs-derived EV induce autophagy in NRCFs perhaps partly through the activation of AMPKα.

Message in a bubble: the translational potential of extracellular vesicles

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, membrane-enclosed vesicles released by cells into the extracellular milieu. They are found in all body fluids and contain a variety of functional cargo including DNA, RNA, proteins, glycoproteins and lipids, able to provoke phenotypic responses in cells, both locally and at distant sites. They are implicated in a wide array of physiological and pathological processes and hence have attracted considerable attention in recent years as potential therapeutic targets, drug delivery vehicles and biomarkers of disease. In this review we summarise the major functions of EVs in health and disease and discuss their translational potential, highlighting opportunities of - and challenges to - capitalising on our rapidly increasing understanding of EV biology for patient benefit.

The role of extracellular vesicles on the occurrence of clinical complications in β-thalassemia

Thalassemia is the most common monogenic disorder of red blood cells (RBCs) caused by defects in the synthesis of globin chains. Thalassemia phenotypes have a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations and vary from severe anemia requiring regular blood transfusions to clinically asymptomatic states. Ineffective erythropoiesis and toxicity caused by iron overload are major factors responsible for various complications in thalassemia patients, especially patients with β-thalassemia major (β-TM). Common complications in patients with thalassemia include iron overload, thrombosis, cardiac morbidity, vascular dysfunction, inflammation, and organ dysfunction. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small membrane vesicles released from various cells' plasma membranes due to activation and apoptosis. Based on studies, EVs play a role in various processes, including clot formation, vascular damage, and proinflammatory processes. In recent years, they have also been studied as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases. Considering the high concentration of EVs in thalassemia and their role in cellular processes, this study reviews the role of EVs in the common complications of patients with β-thalassemia for the first time.

Role of the extracellular matrix in Candida biofilm antifungal resistance

Clinical infection due to Candida species frequently involve growth in biofilm communities. Recalcitrance despite antifungal therapy leads to disease persistence associated with high morbidity and mortality. Candida possesses several tools allowing evasion of antifungal effects. Among these, protection of biofilm cells via encasement by the extracellular matrix is responsible for a majority drug resistance phenotype. The Candida matrix composition is complex and includes a mannan-glucan complex linked to antifungal drug sequestration. This mechanism of resistance is conserved across the Candida genus and impacts each of the available antifungal drug classes. The exosome pathway is responsible for delivery and assembly of much of the Candida extracellular matrix as functional vesicle protein and polysaccharide cargo. Investigations demonstrate the vesicle matrix delivery pathway is a useful fungal biofilm drug target. Further elucidation of the vesicle pathway, as well as understanding the roles of biofilm driven cargo may provide additional targets to aid the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of Candida biofilms.

Large extracellular vesicles derived from human regulatory macrophages (L-EVMreg) attenuate CD3/CD28-induced T-cell activation in vitro

Macrophages belong to the innate immune system, and we have recently shown that in vitro differentiated human regulatory macrophages (Mreg) release large extracellular vesicles (L-EVMreg) with an average size of 7.5 μm which regulate wound healing and angiogenesis in vitro. The aim of this study was to investigate whether L-EVMreg also affect the CD3/CD28-mediated activation of T-cells. Mreg were differentiated using blood monocytes and L-EVMreg were isolated from culture supernatants by differential centrifugation. Activation of human T-cells was induced by CD3/CD28-coated beads in the absence or presence of Mreg or different concentrations of L-EVMreg. Inhibition of T-cell activation was quantified by flow cytometry and antibodies directed against the T-cell marker granzyme B. Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure on the surface of Mreg and L-EVMreg was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy. Incubation of human lymphocytes with CD3/CD28 beads resulted in an increase of cell size, cell granularity, and number of granzyme B-positive cells (P < 0.05) which is indicative of T-cell activation. The presence of Mreg (0.5 × 106 Mreg/ml) led to a reduction of T-cell activation (number of granzyme B-positive cells; P < 0.001), and a similar but less pronounced effect was also observed when incubating activated T-cells with L-EVMreg (P < 0.05 for 3.2 × 106 L-EVMreg/ml). A differential analysis of the effects of Mreg and L-EVMreg on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells showed an inhibition of CD4+ T-cells by Mreg (P < 0.01) and L-EVMreg (P < 0.05 for 1.6 × 106 L-EVMreg/ml; P < 0.01 for 3.2 × 106 L-EVMreg/ml). A moderate inhibition of CD8+ T-cells was observed by Mreg (P < 0.05) and by L-EVMreg (P < 0.01 for 1.6 × 106 L-EVMreg/ml and 3.2 × 106 L-EVMreg/ml). PS was restricted to confined regions of the Mreg surface, while L-EVMreg showed strong signals for PS in the exoplasmic leaflet. L-EVMreg attenuate CD3/CD28-mediated activation of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. L-EVMreg may have clinical relevance, particularly in the treatment of diseases associated with increased T-cell activity. KEY MESSAGES: Mreg release large extracellular vesicles (L-EVMreg) with an average size of 7.5 µm L-EVMreg exhibit phosphatidylserine positivity L-EVMreg suppress CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells L-EVMreg hold clinical potential in T-cell-related diseases.

Immune evasion on the nanoscale: Small extracellular vesicles in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma immunity

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a type of cancer alarmingly expanding in our modern societies that is still proving to be very challenging to counteract. This disease constitutes a quintessential example of the multiple interactions existing between the tumour and its surrounding microenvironment. In particular, PDAC is characterized by a very immunosuppressive environment that favours cancer growth and makes this cancer type very resistant to immunotherapy. The primary tumour releases many factors that influence both the microenvironment and the immune landscape. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), recently identified as indispensable entities ensuring cell-to-cell communication in both physiological and pathological processes, seem to play a pivotal function in ensuring the delivery of these factors to the tumour-surrounding tissues. In this review, we summarize the present understanding on the crosstalk among tumour cells and the cellular immune microenvironment emphasizing the pro-malignant role played by extracellular vesicles. We also discuss how a greater knowledge of the roles of EVs in tumour immune escape could be translated into clinical applications.

Embryonic stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles rejuvenate senescent cells and antagonize aging in mice

Aging is a degenerative process that leads to tissue dysfunction and death. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) have great therapeutic potential for age-related diseases due to their capacity for self-renewal and plasticity. However, the use of ESCs in clinical treatment is limited by immune rejection, tumourigenicity and ethical issues. ESC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) may provide therapeutic effects that are comparable to those of ESCs while avoiding unwanted effects. Here, we fully evaluate the role of ESC-EVs in rejuvenation in vitro and in vivo. Using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) and microRNA sequencing (miRNA-Seq) screening, we found that miR-15b-5p and miR-290a-5p were highly enriched in ESC-EVs, and induced rejuvenation by silencing the Ccn2-mediated AKT/mTOR pathway. These results demonstrate that miR-15b-5p and miR-290a-5p function as potent activators of rejuvenation mediated by ESC-EVs. The rejuvenating effect of ESC-EVs was further investigated in vivo by injection into aged mice. The results showed that ESC-EVs successfully ameliorated the pathological age-related phenotypes and rescued the transcriptome profile of aged mice. Our findings demonstrate that ESC-EVs treatment can rejuvenate senescence both in vitro and in vivo and suggest the therapeutic potential of ESC-EVs as a novel cell-free alternative to ESCs for age-related diseases.

The cancer glycocode as a family of diagnostic biomarkers, exemplified by tumor-associated gangliosides

One unexploited family of cancer biomarkers comprise glycoproteins, carbohydrates, and glycolipids (the Tumor Glycocode).A class of glycolipid cancer biomarkers, the tumor-marker gangliosides (TMGs) are presented here as potential diagnostics for detecting cancer, especially at early stages, as the biological function of TMGs makes them etiological. We propose that a quantitative matrix of the Cancer Biomarker Glycocode and artificial intelligence-driven algorithms will expand the menu of validated cancer biomarkers as a step to resolve some of the challenges in cancer diagnosis, and yield a combination that can identify a specific cancer, in a tissue-agnostic manner especially at early stages, to enable early intervention. Diagnosis is critical to reducing cancer mortality but many cancers lack efficient and effective diagnostic tests, especially for early stage disease. Ideal diagnostic biomarkers are etiological, samples are preferably obtained via non-invasive methods (e.g. liquid biopsy of blood or urine), and are quantitated using assays that yield high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for efficient diagnosis, prognosis, or predicting response to therapy. Validated biomarkers with these features are rare. While the advent of proteomics and genomics has led to the identification of a multitude of proteins and nucleic acid sequences as cancer biomarkers, relatively few have been approved for clinical use. The use of multiplex arrays and artificial intelligence-driven algorithms offer the option of combining data of known biomarkers; however, for most, the sensitivity and the specificity are below acceptable criteria, and clinical validation has proven difficult. One strategic solution to this problem is to expand the biomarker families beyond those currently exploited. One unexploited family of cancer biomarkers comprise glycoproteins, carbohydrates, and glycolipids (the Tumor Glycocode). Here, we focus on a family of glycolipid cancer biomarkers, the tumor-marker gangliosides (TMGs). We discuss the diagnostic potential of TMGs for detecting cancer, especially at early stages. We include prior studies from the literature to summarize findings for ganglioside quantification, expression, detection, and biological function and its role in various cancers. We highlight the examples of TMGs exhibiting ideal properties of cancer diagnostic biomarkers, and the application of GD2 and GD3 for diagnosis of early stage cancers with high sensitivity and specificity. We propose that a quantitative matrix of the Cancer Biomarker Glycocode and artificial intelligence-driven algorithms will expand the menu of validated cancer biomarkers as a step to resolve some of the challenges in cancer diagnosis, and yield a combination that can identify a specific cancer, in a tissue-agnostic manner especially at early stages, to enable early intervention.

The Role of Exosome-Derived microRNA on Lung Cancer Metastasis Progression

The high mortality from lung cancer is mainly attributed to the presence of metastases at the time of diagnosis. Despite being the leading cause of lung cancer death, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving metastasis progression are still not fully understood. Recent studies suggest that tumor cell exosomes play a significant role in tumor progression through intercellular communication between tumor cells, the microenvironment, and distant organs. Furthermore, evidence shows that exosomes release biologically active components to distant sites and organs, which direct metastasis by preparing metastatic pre-niche and stimulating tumorigenesis. As a result, identifying the active components of exosome cargo has become a critical area of research in recent years. Among these components are microRNAs, which are associated with tumor progression and metastasis in lung cancer. Although research into exosome-derived microRNA (exosomal miRNAs) is still in its early stages, it holds promise as a potential target for lung cancer therapy. Understanding how exosomal microRNAs promote metastasis will provide evidence for developing new targeted treatments. This review summarizes current research on exosomal miRNAs' role in metastasis progression mechanisms, focusing on lung cancer.

Circular RNAs: A New Approach to Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, a condition characterised by demyelination and axonal damage in the central nervous system, is due to autoreactive immune cells that recognise myelin antigens. Alteration of the immune balance can promote the onset of immune deficiencies, loss of immunosurveillance, and/or development of autoimmune disorders such as MS. Numerous enzymes, transcription factors, signal transducers, and membrane proteins contribute to the control of immune system activity. The "transcriptional machine" of eukaryotic cells is a complex system composed not only of mRNA but also of non-coding elements grouped together in the set of non-coding RNAs. Recent studies demonstrate that ncRNAs play a crucial role in numerous cellular functions, gene expression, and the pathogenesis of many immune disorders. The main purpose of this review is to investigate the role of circular RNAs, a previously unknown class of non-coding RNAs, in MS's pathogenesis. CircRNAs influence post-transcriptional control, expression, and functionality of a microRNA and epigenetic factors, promoting the development of typical MS abnormalities such as neuroinflammation, damage to neuronal cells, and microglial dysfunction. The increase in our knowledge of the role of circRNAs in multiple sclerosis could, in the future, modify the common diagnostic-therapeutic criteria, paving the way to a new vision of this neuroimmune pathology.

Isolation and Characterization of Cetacean Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles

Cetaceans are of scientific interest because they are good candidates as environmental bioindicators. However, in vivo research is arduous and in vitro studies represent a rarely used valid alternative. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-bound structures playing roles in cell-to-cell communication. Despite being a promising investigative tool in different fields of science, EVs have been poorly studied in cetaceans. To fill this gap, we describe the preliminary characterization of EVs isolated from a bottlenose dolphin and a Cuvier's beaked whale cell line. EVs have been isolated with ultracentrifugation (UC) or size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and characterized with nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), Western blotting (WB), and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). UC and SEC allowed the isolation of mainly small EVs (<200 nm). A higher number of particles were isolated through UC compared to SEC from both cell lines. At WB, all EVs expressed the EV-markers CD9 and integrin-β. Only EVs isolated with UC were positive for TSG101. In conclusion, we isolated for the first time EVs from a bottlenose dolphin and a Cuvier's beaked whale cell line using two different techniques. Further studies on cell-derived EVs will be useful to deepen our knowledge on cetacean pathophysiology and health status assessment.

Customized Loading of microRNA-126 to Small Extracellular Vesicle-Derived Vehicles Improves Cardiac Function after Myocardial Infarction

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are promising for cell-based cardiac repair after myocardial infarction. These sEVs encapsulate potent cargo, including microRNAs (miRs), within a bilayer membrane that aids sEV uptake when administered to cells. However, despite their efficacy, sEV therapies are limited by inconsistencies in the sEV release from parent cells and variability in cargo encapsulation. Synthetic sEV mimics with artificial bilayer membranes allow for cargo control but suffer poor stability and rapid clearance when administered in vivo. Here, we developed an sEV-like vehicle (ELV) using an electroporation technique, building upon our previously published work, and investigated the potency of delivering electroporated ELVs with pro-angiogenic miR-126 both in vitro and in vivo to a rat model of ischemia-reperfusion. We show that electroporated miR-126+ ELVs improve tube formation parameters when administered to 2D cultures of cardiac endothelial cells and improve both echocardiographic and histological parameters when delivered to a rat left ventricle after ischemia reperfusion injury. This work emphasizes the value of using electroporated ELVs as vehicles for delivery of select miR cargo for cardiac repair.

Integrative analysis of miRNA in cartilage-derived extracellular vesicles and single-cell RNA-seq profiles in knee osteoarthritis

Extracellular vesicular miRNAs (EV-miRNAs) play essential roles as intercellular communication molecules in knee Osteoarthritis (OA). We isolated cartilage-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), to perform miRNA sequencing, which revealed EV-miRNA profiles and identified differentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) between cartilage injury and cartilage non-injury groups. The target genes of known and novel DE-miRNAs were predicted with multiMiR package in 14 miRNA-target interaction databases. Meanwhile, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed to identify chondrocyte clusters and their gene signatures in knee OA. Then we performed comparative analysis between target genes of the cartilage-derived EV-DE-miRNAs target genes and cluster-specific maker genes of characteristic chondrocyte clusters. Finally, the functional analysis of the cartilage-derived EVs DE-miRNA target genes and cluster-specific marker genes of each cell population were performed. The EV-miRNA profile analysis identified 13 DE-miRNAs and 7638 target genes. ScRNA-seq labelled seven clusters by cell type according to the expression of multiple characteristic markers. The results identified 735, 184, 303 and 879 common genes between EV-DE-miRNA target genes and cluster-specific marker genes in regulatory chondrocytes (RegCs), fibrocartilage chondrocytes (FC), prehypertrophic chondrocytes (PreHTCs) and mitochondrial chondrocytes (MTC), respectively. We firstly integrated the association between the cartilage-derived EV-DE-miRNA target genes and distinguished cluster-specific marker genes of each chondrocyte clusters. KEGG pathway analysis further identified that the DE-miRNAs target genes were significantly enriched in MAPK signaling pathway, Focal adhesion and FoxO signaling pathway. Our results provided some new insights into cartilage injury and knee OA pathogenesis which could improve the new diagnosis and treatment methods for OA.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived From Hypoxia-Treated Human Adipose Stem Cells Increase Proliferation and Angiogenic Differentiation in Human Adipose Stem Cells

BACKGROUND

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are crucial in cell-assisted lipotransfer (CAL). ADSC-derived exosomes could improve the survival of CAL. Almost all relevant research now ignores ADSCs in favor of studying the proangiogenic potential of extracellular vesicles (EVs) on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).

OBJECTIVES

Given the significance of ADSCs in CAL, the authors sought to verify that EVs from ADSCs under hypoxia treatment can enhance the angiogenic potential of ADSCs.

METHODS

EVs were harvested from human ADSCs (hADSCs) under normoxia and hypoxia. A Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to measure the proliferation of hADSCs. By examining the expression of CD31, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, and vascular endothelial growth factor, the pro-angiogenic differentiation potential was assessed. Moreover, a tube formation experiment was carried out to evaluate the pro-angiogenic differentiation potential.

RESULTS

Hypoxic EVs showed more significant pro-proliferative and pro-angiogenic potential. Angiogenesis was more vigorous in hADSCs treated with hypoxic EVs than in those treated with nomorxic EVs. The hADSCs treated with hypoxic EVs expressed higher angiogenic markers, according to real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, which revealed more angiogenic marker expression in hypoxic EV-treated hADSCs. The same result was demonstrated by tube formation on Matrigel in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoxic EVs significantly increased the proliferation and angiogenic differentiation potential of hADSCs. Hypoxic EV-treated ADSCs may be beneficial to CAL and prevascularized tissue-engineered constructs.

Immunomodulatory Potential of Fungal Extracellular Vesicles: Insights for Therapeutic Applications

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membranous vesicular organelles that perform a variety of biological functions including cell communication across different biological kingdoms. EVs of mammals and, to a lesser extent, bacteria have been deeply studied over the years, whereas investigations of fungal EVs are still in their infancy. Fungi, encompassing both yeast and filamentous forms, are increasingly recognized for their production of extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing a wealth of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. These EVs play pivotal roles in orchestrating fungal communities, bolstering pathogenicity, and mediating interactions with the environment. Fungal EVs have emerged as promising candidates for innovative applications, not only in the management of mycoses but also as carriers for therapeutic molecules. Yet, numerous questions persist regarding fungal EVs, including their mechanisms of generation, release, cargo regulation, and discharge. This comprehensive review delves into the present state of knowledge regarding fungal EVs and provides fresh insights into the most recent hypotheses on the mechanisms driving their immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, we explore the considerable potential of fungal EVs in the realms of medicine and biotechnology. In the foreseeable future, engineered fungal cells may serve as vehicles for tailoring cargo- and antigen-specific EVs, positioning them as invaluable biotechnological tools for diverse medical applications, such as vaccines and drug delivery.

Theranostic signature of tumor-derived exosomes in cancer

Cancer is the most challenging global health crisis. In the recent times, studies on extracellular vesicles (EVs) are adding a new chapter to cancer research and reports on EVs explores cancer in a new dimension. Exosomes are a group of subpopulations of EVs. It originates from the endosomes and carries biologically active molecules to the neighboring cells which in turn transforms the recipient cell activity. In general, it plays a role in cellular communication. The correlation between exosomes and cancer is fascinating. Tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) play a dynamic role in cancer progression and are associated with uncontrolled cell growth, angiogenesis, immune suppression, and metastasis. Its molecular cargo is an excellent source of cancer biomarkers. Several advanced molecular profiling approaches assist in exploring the TEXs in depth. This paves the way for a strong foundation for identifying and detecting more specific and efficient biomarkers. TEXs are also gaining importance in scientific society for its role in cancer therapy and several clinical trials based on TEXs is a proof of its significance. In this review, we have highlighted the role of TEXs in mediating immune cell reprogramming, cancer development, metastasis, EMT, organ-specific metastasis, and its clinical significance in cancer theranostics. TEXs profiling is an effective method to understand the complications associated with cancer leading to good health and well-being of the individual and society as a whole.

Role of lipid signalling in extracellular vesicles-mediated cell-to-cell communication

Lipid signalling plays a crucial role in extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated cell-to-cell communication. Extracellular vesicles are small membrane-bound structures released by various cell types into the extracellular environment. They include exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. These vesicles contain a variety of bioactive molecules, including proteins, nucleic acids (such as miRNAs and mRNAs), and lipids. Lipids are important components of EVs and are involved in various aspects of their biogenesis, cargo sorting, and functional effects on target cells. In this review, we will discuss how lipid signalling is involved in EV-mediated cell-to-cell communication. In summary, lipid signalling is intricately involved in extracellular vesicle-mediated cell-to-cell communication. The lipid composition of EVs influences their biogenesis, cargo sorting, interactions with target cells, and functional effects on recipient cells. Understanding the role of lipids in EV-mediated communication is essential for deciphering the mechanisms underlying intercellular signalling and developing potential therapeutic strategies based on EVs.

The role of exosomes in cancer biology by shedding light on their lipid contents

Exosomes are extracellular bilayer membrane nanovesicles released by cells after the fusion of multivesicular bodies (MVBs) with the plasma membrane. One of the interesting features of exosomes is their ability to carry and transfer various molecules, including lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and therapeutic cargoes among cells. As intercellular signaling organelles, exosomes participate in various signaling processes such as tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and cell physiology such as cell-to-cell communication. Moreover, these particles are considered good vehicles to shuttle vaccines and drugs for therapeutic applications regarding cancers and tumor cells. These bioactive vesicles are also rich in various lipid molecules such as cholesterol, sphingomyelin (SM), glycosphingolipids, and phosphatidylserine (PS). These lipids play an important role in the formation, release, and function of the exosomes and interestingly, some lipids are used as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis. This review aimed to focus on exosomes lipid content and their role in cancer biology.

Platelet extracellular vesicles and their mitochondrial content improve the mitochondrial bioenergetics of cellular immune recipients

BACKGROUND

Mitochondria play a critical role in the production of cell energy and the regulation of cell death. Therefore, mitochondria orchestrate numerous cell effector functions, including fine-tuning the immune system. While mitochondria are mainly found intracellularly, they can escape the confine of the cell during the process of extracellular vesicle release. Platelets patrol blood vessels to ensure vasculature integrity and to support the immune system. In blood, platelets are the primary source of circulating mitochondria. Activated platelets produce extracellular vesicles, including a subset of mitochondria-containing vesicles.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We characterized mitochondrial functions in platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, and examined whether they could impact the bioenergetics of cellular immune recipients using an extracellular flux analyzer to measure real-time bioenergetics.

RESULTS

We validated that extracellular vesicles derived from activated platelets contain the necessary mitochondrial machinery to respirate and generate energy. Moreover, neutrophils and monocytes efficiently captured platelet-derived extracellular vesicles, enhancing their mitochondrial fitness. This process required functional mitochondria from donor platelets, as it was abolished by the inactivation of extracellular mitochondria using mitochondrial poison.

DISCUSSION

Together, the data suggest that extracellular mitochondria produced by platelets may support other metabolic functions through transcellular bioenergetics.

Host and Pathogen-Directed Therapies against Microbial Infections Using Exosome- and Antimicrobial Peptide-derived Stem Cells with a Special look at Pulmonary Infections and Sepsis

Microbial diseases are a great threat to global health and cause considerable mortality and extensive economic losses each year. The medications for treating this group of diseases (antibiotics, antiviral, antifungal drugs, etc.) directly attack the pathogenic agents by recognizing the target molecules. However, it is necessary to note that excessive use of any of these drugs can lead to an increase in microbial resistance and infectious diseases. New therapeutic methods have been studied recently using emerging drugs such as mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-Exos) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), which act based on two completely different strategies against pathogens including Host-Directed Therapy (HDT) and Pathogen-Directed Therapy (PDT), respectively. In the PDT approach, AMPs interact directly with pathogens to interrupt their intrusion, survival, and proliferation. These drugs interact directly with the cell membrane or intracellular components of pathogens and cause the death of pathogens or inhibit their replication. The mechanism of action of MSC-Exos in HDT is based on immunomodulation and regulation, promotion of tissue regeneration, and reduced host toxicity. This review studies the potential of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes/ATPs therapeutic properties against microbial infectious diseases especially pulmonary infections and sepsis.

Extracellular vesicles: Emerging mediators of cell communication in gastrointestinal cancers exhibiting metabolic abnormalities

There is a complex interaction between pro-tumoural and anti-tumoural networks in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Throughout tumourigenesis, communication between malignant cells and various cells of the TME contributes to metabolic reprogramming. Tumour Dysregulation of metabolic pathways offer an evolutional advantage in the TME and enhance the tumour progression, invasiveness, and metastasis. Therefore, understanding these interactions within the TME is crucial for the development of innovative cancer treatments. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) serve as carriers of various materials that include microRNAs, proteins, and lipids that play a vital role in the communication between tumour cells and non-tumour cells. EVs are actively involved in the metabolic reprogramming process. This review summarized recent findings regarding the involvement of EVs in the metabolic reprogramming of various cells in the TME of gastrointestinal cancers. Additionally, we highlight identified microRNAs involved in the reprogramming process in this group of cancers and explained the abnormal tumour metabolism targeted by exosomal cargos as well as the novel potential therapeutic approaches.

Effects of extracellular vesicles derived from steroids-primed oviductal epithelial cells on porcine in vitro embryonic development

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play an active role in regulating different physiological events, however, endocrine control of EVs cargo contents remain poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to isolate EVs from the porcine oviductal epithelial cells (POECs) that were primed with steroid hormones including estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), mimicking the in vivo conditions of the reproductive cycle and studied their effects on in vitro produced embryonic development. For this purpose, POECs were treated either with 0 concentration (control) or two different combinations of E2 and P4 including 50 pg/mL E2 + 0.5 ng/mL P4 (group H1), and 10 pg/mL E2 + 35 ng/mL P4 (group H2). Embryos were prepared after in vitro maturation either by parthenogenetic activation or somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) technique. Treating parthenogenetic embryo with EVs, led a significantly higher rate of the blastocyst formation in the group supplemented with each EVs, compared to the control group. In addition, TUNEL assay and gene expression level analysis revealed that apoptosis was significantly reduced in the H2 EVs group. Furthermore, EVs from hormone-primed POECs improved the formation rate of porcine SCNT embryos compared to the control group. While in each EVs supplemented group (control EVs, H1 EVs, H2 EVs), the expression of cell reprogramming-related genes in cloned embryos showed a tendency of increase, the effect was stronger in H1 EVs and H2 EVs. In conclusion, EVs derived from POECs cultured in hormonal conditions simulating the in vivo environment had a positive effect on porcine blastocysts formation, which will likely facilitate in the production of cloned embryos.

Altered Extracellular Vesicle miRNA Profile in Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized vesicles released by almost all body tissues, representing important mediators of cellular communication, and are thus promising candidate biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of the present study was to isolate total EVs from plasma and characterize their microRNA (miRNA) contents in AD patients. We isolated total EVs from the plasma of all recruited subjects using ExoQuickULTRA exosome precipitation solution (SBI). Subsequently, circulating total EVs were characterized using Nanosight nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Western blotting. A panel of 754 miRNAs was determined with RT-qPCR using TaqMan OpenArray technology in a QuantStudio 12K System (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The results demonstrated that plasma EVs showed widespread deregulation of specific miRNAs (miR-106a-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-195-5p, miR-19b-3p, miR-20a-5p, miR-223-3p, miR-25-3p, miR-296-5p, miR-30b-5p, miR-532-3p, miR-92a-3p, and miR-451a), some of which were already known to be associated with neurological pathologies. A further validation analysis also confirmed a significant upregulation of miR-16-5p, miR-25-3p, miR-92a-3p, and miR-451a in prodromal AD patients, suggesting these dysregulated miRNAs are involved in the early progression of AD.

Isolation of goat milk small extracellular vesicles by novel combined bio-physical methodology

Introduction: Goat milk is notable as a cost-effective source of exosomes, also known as small extracellular vesicles (sEVs). These nanoparticle-like structures are naturally secreted by cells and have emerged as potential diagnostic agents and drug delivery systems, also supported by their proven therapeutic effects. However, the complexity of goat milk and the lack of standardized protocols make it difficult to isolate pure sEVs. This work presents an optimized approach that combines well-established physical isolation methods with the biological treatment of milk with rennet. Methods: sEVs derived from goat milk were purified using a methodology that combines differential ultracentrifugation, rennet, and size-exclusion chromatography. This novel strategy was compared with two of the main methodologies developed for isolating extracellular vesicles from bovine and human milk by means of physico-chemical characterization of collected vesicles using Transmission Electron Microscopy, Western blot, Bradford Coomassie assay, Dynamic Light Scattering, Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis and Zeta Potential. Results: Vesicles isolated with the optimized protocol had sEV-like characteristics and high homogeneity, while samples obtained with the previous methods were highly aggregated, with significant residual protein content. Discussion: This work provides a novel biophysical methodology for isolating highly enriched goat milk sEVs samples with high stability and homogeneity, for their further evaluation in biomedical applications as diagnostic tools or drug delivery systems.

In vivo label-free optical signatures of chemotherapy response in human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma patient-derived xenografts

Pancreatic cancer is a devastating disease often detected at later stages, necessitating swift and effective chemotherapy treatment. However, chemoresistance is common and its mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, label-free multi-modal nonlinear optical microscopy was applied to study microstructural and functional features of pancreatic tumors in vivo to monitor inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity and treatment response. Patient-derived xenografts with human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma were implanted into mice and characterized over five weeks of intraperitoneal chemotherapy (FIRINOX or Gem/NabP) with known responsiveness/resistance. Resistant and responsive tumors exhibited a similar initial metabolic response, but by week 5 the resistant tumor deviated significantly from the responsive tumor, indicating that a representative response may take up to five weeks to appear. This biphasic metabolic response in a chemoresistant tumor reveals the possibility of intra-tumor spatiotemporal heterogeneity of drug responsiveness. These results, though limited by small sample size, suggest the possibility for further work characterizing chemoresistance mechanisms using nonlinear optical microscopy.

Profiling the polyadenylated transcriptome of extracellular vesicles with long-read nanopore sequencing

BACKGROUND

While numerous studies have described the transcriptomes of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in different cellular contexts, these efforts have typically relied on sequencing methods requiring RNA fragmentation, which limits interpretations on the integrity and isoform diversity of EV-targeted RNA populations. It has been assumed that mRNA signatures in EVs are likely to be fragmentation products of the cellular mRNA material, and the extent to which full-length mRNAs are present within EVs remains to be clarified.

RESULTS

Using long-read nanopore RNA sequencing, we sought to characterize the full-length polyadenylated (poly-A) transcriptome of EVs released by human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells. We detected 443 and 280 RNAs that were respectively enriched or depleted in EVs. EV-enriched poly-A transcripts consist of a variety of biotypes, including mRNAs, long non-coding RNAs, and pseudogenes. Our analysis revealed that 10.58% of all EV reads, and 18.67% of all cellular (WC) reads, corresponded to known full-length transcripts, with mRNAs representing the largest biotype for each group (EV = 58.13%, WC = 43.93%). We also observed that for many well-represented coding and non-coding genes, diverse full-length transcript isoforms were present in EV specimens, and these isoforms were reflective-of but often in different ratio compared to cellular samples.

CONCLUSION

This work provides novel insights into the compositional diversity of poly-A transcript isoforms enriched within EVs, while also underscoring the potential usefulness of nanopore sequencing to interrogate secreted RNA transcriptomes.

Plant and mammalian-derived extracellular vesicles: a new therapeutic approach for the future

Background: In recent years, extracellular vesicles have been recognized as important mediators of intercellular communication through the transfer of active biomolecules (proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids) across the plant and animal kingdoms and have considerable roles in several physiological and pathological mechanisms, showing great promise as new therapeutic strategies for a variety of pathologies. Methods: In this study, we carefully reviewed the numerous articles published over the last few decades on the general knowledge of extracellular vesicles, their application in the therapy of various pathologies, and their prospects as an approach for the future. Results: The recent discovery and characterization of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of diverse origins and biogenesis have altered the current paradigm of intercellular communication, opening up new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives. Research into these EVs released by plant and mammalian cells has revealed their involvement in a number of physiological and pathological mechanisms, such as embryonic development, immune response, tissue regeneration, and cancer. They are also being studied as potential biomarkers for disease diagnosis and vectors for drug delivery. Conclusion: Nanovesicles represent powerful tools for intercellular communication and the transfer of bioactive molecules. Their molecular composition and functions can vary according to their origin (plant and mammalian), so their formation, composition, and biological roles open the way to therapeutic applications in a variety of pathologies, which is arousing growing interest in the scientific community. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03608631.

Vesicular Release and Uptake of Circular LSD1-RNAs from Non-Cancer and Cancer Lung Cells

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is highly expressed in many cancer types and strongly associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are produced by back-splicing and influence the interactive RNA network by microRNA and protein sponging. In the present study, we aimedto identify circRNAs that derive from the LSD1-encoding KDM1A gene, and to investigate their potential to be released and uptaken by lung cancer versus non-cancer epithelial cells. We identified four circLSD1-RNAs by RT-PCR with divergent primers, followed by sequencing. The expression level of circLSD1-RNAs was then studied by quantitative PCR on cellular and extracellular fractions of lung cancer (PC9) and non-cancer primary small airway epithelial (PSAE) cells. Moreover, we established the transgenic overexpression of circLSD1-RNAs. We show that circLSD1-RNAs are primarily located in the cytoplasm, but are packaged and released from lung cancer and non-cancer cells by extracellular vesicles (EVs) and ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes, respectively. Proteomics demonstrated a different protein pattern of EV fractions released from PC9 versus PSAE cells. Importantly, released circLSD1-RNAs were differently taken up by PSAE and PC9 cells. In conclusion, our findings provide primary evidence that circLSD1-RNAs participate in the intercellular communication of lung cancer cells with the tumor environment.

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide inhibits ischemia-induced autophagy by promoting the biogenesis of neural stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles to enhance the delivery of miR-133a-3p

BACKGROUND

Neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (NSC-EVs) mediated endogenous neurogenesis determines a crucial impact on spontaneous recovery after stroke. Here, we checked the influence of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on the biogenesis of NSC-EVs and then focused on studying mechanisms of LBP in ameliorating ischemic stroke outcome.

METHODS

LBP was prepared to precondition NSCs and isolate EVs. MCAO models and primary NSCs were administrated to evaluate the therapeutic effect. RT-PCR, western blot, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence techniques were performed to explore the mechanism.

RESULTS

LBP pretreatment increased the production of NSC-EVs and improved the neuroprotective and recovery effects of NSC-EV in ischemic stroke mice. LBP-pretreated NSC-EV in a dose-dependent manner substantially reduced neuronal death compared with NSC-EV. Screening of the signaling cascade involved in the interaction between NSC-EV and neurons revealed that AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway inhibited autophagic activity in neurons receiving either treatment paradigm. NSC-EVs but not EVs collected from NSCs pretreated with the anti-miR-133a-3p oligonucleotide reduced cell death, whereas the anti-oligonucleotide promoted autophagy activity and cell death by modulating AMPK/mTOR signaling in OGD-induced primary neurons.

CONCLUSION

LBP activated AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway by increasing the enrichment and transfer of miR-133a-3p in NSC-EVs to inhibit stroke-induced autophagy activity.

Bell's palsy or an aggressive infiltrating basaloid carcinoma post-mRNA vaccination for COVID-19? A case report and review of the literature

We report on an aggressive, infiltrating, metastatic, and ultimately lethal basaloid type of carcinoma arising shortly after an mRNA vaccination for COVID-19. The wife of the patient, since deceased, gave the consent for publishing the case. The malignancy was of cutaneous origin and the case showed symptoms consistent with Bell's palsy and trigeminal neuralgia beginning four days post-vaccination (right side head temporal pain). The temporal pain was suggestive for inflammation and impairment of T cell immune activation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a vascular loop on the left lateral aspect of the 5th cranial root exit of cerebellopontine angle constituting presumably a normal variant and was considered as an unrelated factor to the right-sided palsy and pain symptoms that corresponded to cranial nerves V (trigeminal nerve) and VII (facial nerve). In this study we describe all aspects of this case and discuss possible causal links between the rapid emergence of this metastatic cancer and mRNA vaccination. We place this within the context of multiple immune impairments potentially related to the mRNA injections that would be expected to potentiate more aggressive presentation and progression of cancer. The type of malignancy we describe suggests a population risk for occurrence of a large variety of relatively common basaloid phenotype cancer cells, which may have the potential for metastatic disease. This can be avoidable with early diagnosis and adequate treatment. Since facial paralysis/pain is one of the more common adverse neurological events following mRNA injection, careful inspection of cutaneous/soft tissue should be conducted to rule out malignancy. An extensive literature review is carried out, in order to elucidate the toxicity of mRNA vaccination that may have led to the death of this patient. Preventive and precise routine clinical investigations can potentially avoid future mortalities. See also Figure 1(Fig. 1).

Identification of Potential Protein Targets in Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from Chemotherapy-Treated Ovarian Cancer Cells

Despite the ongoing clinical trials and the introduction of novel treatments over the past few decades, ovarian cancer remains one of the most fatal malignancies in women worldwide. Platinum- and paclitaxel-based chemotherapy is effective in treating the majority of patients with ovarian cancer. However, more than 70% of patients experience recurrence and eventually develop chemoresistance. To improve clinical outcomes in patients with ovarian cancer, novel technologies must be developed for identifying molecular alterations following drug-based treatment of ovarian cancer. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have gained prominence as the mediators of tumor progression. In this study, we used mass spectrometry to identify the changes in EV protein signatures due to different chemotherapeutic agents used for treating ovarian cancer. By examining these alterations, we identified the specific protein induction patterns of cisplatin alone, paclitaxel alone, and a combination of cisplatin and paclitaxel. Specifically, we found that drug sensitivity was correlated with the expression levels of ANXA5, CD81, and RAB5C in patients receiving cisplatin with paclitaxel. Our findings suggest that chemotherapy-induced changes in EV protein signatures are crucial for the progression of ovarian cancer.

A sensitive and rapid electrochemical biosensor for sEV-miRNA detection based on domino-type localized catalytic hairpin assembly

Small extracellular-vesicule-associated microRNA (sEV-miRNA) is an important biomarker for cancer diagnosis. However, rapid and sensitive detection of low-abundance sEV-miRNA in clinical samples is challenging. Herein, a simple electrochemical biosensor that uses a DNA nanowire to localize catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA), also called domino-type localized catalytic hairpin assembly (DT-LCHA), has been proposed for sEV-miRNA1246 detection. The DT-LCHA offers triple amplification, (i). CHA system was localized in DNA nanowire, which shorten the distance between hairpin substrate, inducing the high collision efficiency of H1 and H2 and domino effect. Then, larger numbers of CHAs were triggered, capture probe bind DT-LCHA by exposed c sites. (ii) The DNA nanowire can load large number of electroactive substance RuHex as amplified electrochemical signal tags. (iii) multiple DT-LCHA was carried by the DNA nanowire, only one CHA was triggered, the DNA nanowire was trapped by the capture probe, which greatly improve the detection sensitivity, especially when the target concentration is extremely low. Owing to the triple signal amplification in this strategy, sEV-miRNA at a concentration of as low as 24.55 aM can be detected in 20 min with good specificity. The accuracy of the measurements was also confirmed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the platform showed good performance in discriminating healthy donors from patients with early gastric cancer (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.96) and was equally able to discriminate between benign gastric tumors and early cancers (AUC: 0.77). Thus, the platform has substantial potential in biosensing and clinical diagnosis.

Application of cell-derived exosomes in the hematological malignancies therapy

Exosomes are small membrane vesicles of endocytic origin that are produced by both tumor and normal cells and can be found in physiological fluids like plasma and cell culture supernatants. They include cytokines, growth factors, proteins, lipids, RNAs, and metabolites and are important intercellular communication controllers in several disorders. According to a vast amount of research, exosomes could support or inhibit tumor start and diffusion in a variety of solid and hematological malignancies by paracrine signaling. Exosomes are crucial therapeutic agents for a variety of illnesses, such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. This review discusses the most current and encouraging findings from in vitro and experimental in vivo research, as well as the scant number of ongoing clinical trials, with a focus on the impact of exosomes in the treatment of malignancies. Exosomes have great promise as carriers of medications, antagonists, genes, and other therapeutic materials that can be incorporated into their core in a variety of ways. Exosomes can also alter the metabolism of cancer cells, alter the activity of immunologic effectors, and alter non-coding RNAs, all of which can alter the tumor microenvironment and turn it from a pro-tumor to an anti-tumor milieu. This subject is covered in the current review, which also looks at how exosomes contribute to the onset and progression of hematological malignancies, as well as their importance in diagnosing and treating these conditions.

Extracellular vesicles- crucial players in human pregnancy

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bilayer enclosed membrane vesicles released by cells in physiological and pathological states. EVs are generated and released through a variety of pathways and mediate cellular communication by carrying and transferring signals to recipient cells. EVs are specifically loaded with proteins, nucleic acids (RNAs and DNA), enzymes and lipids, and carry a range of surface proteins and adhesion molecules. EVs contribute to intercellular signalling, development, metabolism, tissue homeostasis, antigen presentation, gene expression and immune regulation. EVs have been categorised into three different subgroups based on their size: exosomes (30-150 nm), microvesicles (100-1000 nm) and apoptotic bodies (1-5 μm). The status of the cells of origin of EVs influences their biology, heterogeneity and functions. EVs, especially exosomes, have been studied for their potential roles in feto-maternal communication and impacts on normal pregnancy and pregnancy disorders. This review presents an overview of EVs, emphasising exosomes and microvesicles in a general context, and then focusing on the roles of EVs in human pregnancy and their potential as diagnostics for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Research progress on extracellular vesicles in the renal tubular injury of diabetic kidney disease

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a severe microvascular complication of diabetes and is a chronic progressive condition. It is also a common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), which is characterized by proteinuria or a progressive decline in the glomerular filtration rate. Due to their dependence on high-energy and aerobic metabolism, renal tubules are more susceptible to the metabolic disturbances associated with DKD, leading to inflammation and fibrosis. Consequently, tubular injury has become a recent research focus, and significant advancements have been made in studying the role of extracellular vesicles in DKD-associated tubular injury. This review aimed to elucidate the mechanisms and potential applications of different types of extracellular vesicles in tubular injury in DKD to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of DKD.