Aberrant expressions of MIAT and PVT1 in serum exosomes of schizophrenia patients

Emergence of Extracellular Vesicles as "Liquid Biopsy" for Neurological Disorders: Boom or Bust

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as an attractive liquid biopsy approach in the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple diseases and disorders. The feasibility of enriching specific subpopulations of EVs from biofluids based on their unique surface markers has opened novel opportunities to gain molecular insight from various tissues and organs, including the brain. Over the past decade, EVs in bodily fluids have been extensively studied for biomarkers associated with various neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorders, substance use disorders, human immunodeficiency virus-associated neurocognitive disorder, and cancer/treatment-induced neurodegeneration. These studies have focused on the isolation and cargo characterization of either total EVs or brain cells, such as neuron-, astrocyte-, microglia-, oligodendrocyte-, pericyte-, and endothelial-derived EVs from biofluids to achieve early diagnosis and molecular characterization and to predict the treatment and intervention outcomes. The findings of these studies have demonstrated that EVs could serve as a repetitive and less invasive source of valuable molecular information for these neurological disorders, supplementing existing costly neuroimaging techniques and relatively invasive measures, like lumbar puncture. However, the initial excitement surrounding blood-based biomarkers for brain-related diseases has been tempered by challenges, such as lack of central nervous system specificity in EV markers, lengthy protocols, and the absence of standardized procedures for biological sample collection, EV isolation, and characterization. Nevertheless, with rapid advancements in the EV field, supported by improved isolation methods and sensitive assays for cargo characterization, brain cell-derived EVs continue to offer unparallel opportunities with significant translational implications for various neurological disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Extracellular vesicles present a less invasive liquid biopsy approach in the diagnosis and prognosis of various neurological disorders. Characterizing these vesicles in biofluids holds the potential to yield valuable molecular information, thereby significantly impacting the development of novel biomarkers for various neurological disorders. This paper has reviewed the methodology employed to isolate extracellular vesicles derived from various brain cells in biofluids, their utility in enhancing the molecular understanding of neurodegeneration, and the potential challenges in this research field.

Investigation of LncRNA PVT1 and MiR-21-5p Expression as Promising Novel Biomarkers for Autism Spectrum Disorder

The characteristics of ncRNA in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) were observed to disclose a theoretical basis for further research on molecular markers for early warning of ASD. Children with ASD and normal control children were recruited to collect peripheral blood RNA samples. The concentration of PVT1 and miR-21-5p was quantitatively analyzed by qRT-PCR. Pearson correlation coefficient method was used to evaluate the link between PVT1 level and miR-21-5p level of the children. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to reckon the predictive value of PVT1, miR-21-5p, and their combination in ASD. The interconnection of PVT1 with miR-21-5p was represented by luciferase reporter assay. The targeted genes of miR-21-5p were predicted. The enrichment and protein interaction analysis of these genes was carried out to find the important core genes and analyze their value in ASD. In the disease group, the level of PVT1 was downregulated, while the content of miR-21-5p was upregulated. The expression level of serum miR-21-5p was negatively correlated with the level of PVT1. Luciferase reporter gene assay documented that PVT1 directly targeted miR-21-5p. ROC curve showed that PVT1, miR-21-5p, and their combination showed clinical value for disease diagnosis. The functional enrichment analysis showed that the targets of miR-21-5p participated in ASD by regulating related functions and pathways. Reduced expression of PVT1 and raised miR-21-5p were good diagnostic markers for ASD, which would provide a basis for effective prevention, early diagnosis, and early intervention of ASD.

Long non-coding RNAs in schizophrenia: Genetic variations, treatment markers and potential targeted signaling pathways

Schizophrenia (SZ), a complex and debilitating spectrum of psychiatric disorders, is now mainly attributed to multifactorial etiology that includes genetic and environmental factors. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are gaining popularity as a way to better understand the comprehensive mechanisms beneath the clinical manifestation of SZ. Only in recent years has it been elucidated that mammalian genomes encode thousands of lncRNAs. Strikingly, roughly 30-40% of these lncRNAs are extensively expressed in different regions across the brain, which may be closely associated with SZ. The therapeutic and adverse effects of atypical antipsychotic drugs (AAPDs) are partially reflected by their role in the regulation of lncRNAs. This begs the question directly, do any lncRNAs exist as biomarkers for AAPDs treatment? Furthermore, we comprehend a range of mechanistic investigations that have revealed the regulatory roles for lncRNAs both involved in the brain and the periphery of SZ. More crucially, we also combine insights from a variety of signaling pathways to argue that lncRNAs probably play critical roles in SZ via their interactive downstream factors. This review provides a thorough understanding regarding dysregulation of lncRNAs, corresponding genetic alternations, as well as their potential regulatory roles in the pathology of SZ, which might help reveal useful therapeutic targets in SZ.

The emerging role of exosomes in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SCZ), a serious mental disorder, is one of the leading causes of disease burden worldwide. Exosomes, as a natural nanocarrier, are able to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and play a key bridging role in central nervous system (CNS) communication, participating in important physiological processes such as neural regeneration, prominent plasticity, axonal support, and neuroinflammation. In recent years, exosomes have received widespread attention in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease. However, there are few reviews on exosomes and SCZ. Therefore, we conducted a literature search in PubMed and Web of Science using the following search terms: "schizophrenia", "mental disorder", "central system", "exosome", "extracellular vesicles" to identify publications from January 2010 to December 2022. Our review summarized exosomes secreted by different cell types in the CNS and the double-edged role of exosomes in the development of SCZ, and discussed their future potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In conclusion, this article provides an up-to-date overview of the current research on the involvement of exosomes in SCZ, while also highlighting the challenges that are currently faced in this field.

The role of Extracellular Genomic Materials (EGMs) in psychiatric disorders

Extracellular Genomic Materials (EGMs) are the nucleic acids secreted or released from all types of cells by endogenous or exogenous stimuli through varying mechanisms into the extracellular region and inevitably to all biological fluids. EGMs could be found as free, protein-bound, and/ or with vesicles. EGMs can potentially have immunophenotypic and/or genotypic characteristics of a cell of origin, travel to distant organs, and interact with the new microenvironment. To achieve all, EGMs might bi-directionally transit through varying membranes, including the blood-brain barrier. Such ability provides the transfer of any information related to the pathophysiological changes in psychiatric disorders in the brain to the other distant organ systems or vice versa. In this article, many aspects of EGMs have been elegantly reviewed, including their potential in diagnosis as biomarkers, application in treatment modalities, and functional effects in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. The psychiatric disorders were studied under subgroups of Schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, depressive disorders, and an autism spectrum disorders. EGMs provide a robust and promising tool in clinics for prognosis and diagnosis. The successful application of EGMs into treatment modalities might further provide encouraging outcomes for researchers and clinicians in psychiatric disorders.

Exosome and exosomal contents in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe mental disorder that affects approximately 1% general population worldwide and poses a considerable burden to society. Despite decades of research, its etiology remains unclear, and diagnosis remains challenging due to its heterogeneous symptoms. Exosomes play a crucial role in intercellular communication, and their contents, including nucleotides, proteins and metabolites, have been linked to various diseases. Recent studies have implicated exosome abnormalities in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the relationship between exosomes and schizophrenia, focusing on the role of exosomal contents in this disease. We summarize recent findings and provide insights into the potential use of exosomes as biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.

Fighting Fire with Fire: Exosomes and Acute Pancreatitis-Associated Acute Lung Injury

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a prevalent clinical condition of the digestive system, with a growing frequency each year. Approximately 20% of patients suffer from severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with local consequences and multi-organ failure, putting a significant strain on patients' health insurance. According to reports, the lungs are particularly susceptible to SAP. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, a severe type of acute lung injury (ALI), is the primary cause of mortality among AP patients. Controlling the mortality associated with SAP requires an understanding of the etiology of AP-associated ALI, the discovery of biomarkers for the early detection of ALI, and the identification of potentially effective drug treatments. Exosomes are a class of extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 30-150 nm that are actively released into tissue fluids to mediate biological functions. Exosomes are laden with bioactive cargo, such as lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA. During the initial stages of AP, acinar cell-derived exosomes suppress forkhead box protein O1 expression, resulting in M1 macrophage polarization. Similarly, macrophage-derived exosomes activate inflammatory pathways within endothelium or epithelial cells, promoting an inflammatory cascade response. On the other hand, a part of exosome cargo performs tissue repair and anti-inflammatory actions and inhibits the cytokine storm during AP. Other reviews have detailed the function of exosomes in the development of AP, chronic pancreatitis, and autoimmune pancreatitis. The discoveries involving exosomes at the intersection of AP and acute lung injury (ALI) are reviewed here. Furthermore, we discuss the therapeutic potential of exosomes in AP and associated ALI. With the continuous improvement of technological tools, the research on exosomes has gradually shifted from basic to clinical applications. Several exosome-specific non-coding RNAs and proteins can be used as novel molecular markers to assist in the diagnosis and prognosis of AP and associated ALI.

The emerging role of long non-coding RNAs in schizophrenia

Schizophrenia (SZ) is a severe psychiatric disorder which is contributed by both genetic and environmental factors. However, at present, its specific pathogenesis is still not very clear, and there is a lack of objective and reliable biomarkers. Accumulating evidence indicates that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in the pathophysiology of several psychiatric disorders, including SZ, and hold promise as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for psychiatric disorders. In this review, we summarize and discuss the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of SZ and their potential value as biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Exosomes in schizophrenia: Pathophysiological mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets

While schizophrenia (SCZ) is a devastating psychiatric disorder that detrimentally affects a significant portion of the worldwide population, its diagnosis is traditionally based on a relatively subjective assessment of current symptoms and medical history, devoid of an objective diagnostic modality. Antipsychotic medications are commonly used in the treatment of SCZ; however, some patients have low remission rates or forsake treatment due to the associated multiple side effects, resulting in recurrent episodes of the disease and poor prognosis. These situations imply that the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of SCZ need to be improved to increase the odds of a better outcome. Mounting studies have found that extracellular vesicles (EVs) play essential roles in the central nervous system. They are implicated in several mechanisms closely associated with SCZ such as cellular communication and synaptic plasticity. They can additionally exhibit neuroprotective and therapeutic effects. Since they possess distinct constituents, are readily available, easily detectable, and dependent on the internal environment, they can potentially serve as reliable biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Moreover, their biological configuration along with their ability to increase the bioavailability of their constituents and modulate intricate intracellular reactions in target cells, propel EVs as new targets for treatment. This review paper summarizes relevant research pertaining to the roles of EVs in SCZ, with the aim of improving insights into SCZ pathogenesis and evaluating EVs as potential biomarkers in the diagnosis and treatment of SCZ.