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Arrè V, Mastrogiacomo R, Balestra F, Serino G, Viti F, Rizzi F, Curri ML, Giannelli G, Depalo N, Scavo MP. Unveiling the Potential of Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Nanotools for Gastrointestinal Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:567. [PMID: 38675228 PMCID: PMC11055174 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16040567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), acting as inherent nanocarriers adept at transporting a range of different biological molecules such as proteins, lipids, and genetic material, exhibit diverse functions within the gastroenteric tract. In states of normal health, they participate in the upkeep of systemic and organ homeostasis. Conversely, in pathological conditions, they significantly contribute to the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal diseases (GIDs). Isolating EVs from patients' biofluids facilitates the discovery of new biomarkers that have the potential to offer a rapid, cost-effective, and non-invasive method for diagnosing and prognosing specific GIDs. Furthermore, EVs demonstrate considerable therapeutic potential as naturally targeted physiological carriers for the intercellular delivery of therapeutic cargo molecules or as nanoscale tools engineered specifically to regulate physio-pathological conditions or disease progression. Their attributes including safety, high permeability, stability, biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and homing/tropism capabilities contribute to their promising clinical therapeutic applications. This review will delve into various examples of EVs serving as biomarkers or nanocarriers for therapeutic cargo in the context of GIDs, highlighting their clinical potential for both functional and structural gastrointestinal conditions. The versatile and advantageous properties of EVs position them as promising candidates for innovative therapeutic strategies in advancing personalized medicine approaches tailored to the gastroenteric tract, addressing both functional and structural GIDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Arrè
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Rita Mastrogiacomo
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.L.C.)
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesco Balestra
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Grazia Serino
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Federica Viti
- Institute of Biophysics—National Research Council (IBF-CNR), Via De Marini 6, 16149 Genova, Italy;
| | - Federica Rizzi
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Curri
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy; (R.M.); (M.L.C.)
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Giannelli
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
| | - Nicoletta Depalo
- Institute for Chemical-Physical Processes (IPCF)-CNR SS, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy;
- National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology (INSTM), Bari Research Unit, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Principia Scavo
- National Institute of Gastroenterology, IRCCS de Bellis, Via Turi 27, 70013 Castellana Grotte, Italy; (V.A.); (F.B.); (G.S.); (G.G.)
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Mignini I, Piccirilli G, Termite F, Paratore M, Esposto G, Laterza L, Scaldaferri F, Ainora ME, Gasbarrini A, Zocco MA. Extracellular Vesicles: Novel Potential Therapeutic Agents in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. Cells 2023; 13:90. [PMID: 38201294 PMCID: PMC10778449 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 12/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Patients affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) can nowadays benefit from a growing number of pharmacological options. However, in moderate-to-severe cases, the therapeutic response is still far from optimal, and treatment changes and optimizations are often required. Thus, researchers in this field are strongly engaged in studies aiming to identify new potential therapeutic targets. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are tiny subcellular bodies with a phospholipid bilayer envelope containing bioactive molecules, which are released from different cells and are involved in intercellular communication. Recent pre-clinical data show their emerging role in the pathogenesis and treatment of IBD. In our review, we summarize current evidence about the function of EVs as active therapeutic agents in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, analyzing the properties of EVs derived from different cellular sources and the mechanisms through which they may improve intestinal inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Assunta Zocco
- CEMAD Digestive Diseases Center, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy; (I.M.); (G.P.); (F.T.); (M.P.); (G.E.); (L.L.); (F.S.); (M.E.A.); (A.G.)
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