Extracellular Vesicles: How a Circulating Biomarker Can Double As a Regulator of Blood Pressure

Influence of the Anesthetic Technique on Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Bladder Cancer Patients Undergoing Radical Cystectomy: A Prospective, Randomized Trial

Anesthetics have been shown to alter tumor progression and seem to influence surgical cancer outcome. Circulating extracellular vesicles as mediators of intercellular communication are involved in cancer progression and may be influenced by anesthetics. In this prospective, randomized study, effects of anesthetics on extracellular vesicles and associated micro-RNAs in bladder cancer patients undergoing radical cystectomy were tested. Extracellular vesicles from 51 patients at four perioperative time points receiving Propofol or Sevoflurane were extracted with polymer-based methods and quantified with a nanoparticle-tracking analysis. Vesicle-associated micro-RNAs were analyzed with a real-time polymerase chain reaction using array cards and single assays for tumor-associated miR-21-5p, miR-15a-5p, miR-17-5p and miR-451a. Plasma extracellular vesicle concentration (suture: fold change (fc) in Propofol at 4.1 ± 3.9 vs. Sevoflurane at 0.8 ± 0.5; p = 0.003) and associated miRNAs increased significantly (+30% post induction, +9% 30 Min surgery) in the Propofol group. Tumor-associated miRNAs increased during surgery in both groups (fc in miR-21-5p: 24.3 ± 10.2, p = 0.029; fc in miR-15a-5p: 9.7 ± 3.8, p = 0.027; fc in miR-17-5p: 5.4 ± 1.7, p = 0.014), whereas antitumor miR-451a increased in the Propofol group only (fc: 2.5 ± 0.6 vs. 1.0 ± 0.2; p = 0.022). Anesthetics influence extracellular vesicles and associated micro-RNAs of bladder cancer patients during surgery. Increased expression of antitumor micro-RNA may be an explanatory approach for decreased tumor cell viability after Propofol.

Soybean-Derived Antihypertensive Peptide LSW (Leu-Ser-Trp) Antagonizes the Damage of Angiotensin II to Vascular Endothelial Cells through the Trans-vesicular Pathway

An emerging inference is that vascular cells transfer their biological cargo to recipient cells by secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs). This study explored the effects of EVs produced from VSMCs with Ang II (EVs-A) or LSW + Ang II on HUVECs. The EVs-A increase ROS production, activate inflammation, and upregulate the expression of adhesion molecules. Among the EVs-A, miR-22, miR-143, miR-144, and miR-155 were significantly downregulated, while VSMCs pre-incubated with LSW could produce improved EVs. RNA sequencing revealed differential expression of genes associated with endothelial dysfunction, including the TNF signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis pathway. Finally, we found that LSW could improve endothelial function by repairing the expression of miRNAs in VSMCs. It also suggests a potential mechanism for the injury action of endogenous peptide Ang II and protective effects of exogenous peptide LSW on vascular endothelial cells.