The Progress in Diagnosis and Treatment of Exosomes and MicroRNAs on Epileptic Comorbidity Depression

Advances in biosensors for major depressive disorder diagnostic biomarkers

Depression is one of the most common mental disorders and is mainly characterized by low mood or lack of interest and pleasure. It can be accompanied by varying degrees of cognitive and behavioral changes and may lead to suicide risk in severe cases. Due to the subjectivity of diagnostic methods and the complexity of patients' conditions, the diagnosis of major depressive disorder (MDD) has always been a difficult problem in psychiatry. With the discovery of more diagnostic biomarkers associated with MDD in recent years, especially emerging non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), it is possible to quantify the condition of patients with mental illness based on biomarker levels. Point-of-care biosensors have emerged due to their advantages of convenient sampling, rapid detection, miniaturization, and portability. After summarizing the pathogenesis of MDD, representative biomarkers, including proteins, hormones, and RNAs, are discussed. Furthermore, we analyzed recent advances in biosensors for detecting various types of biomarkers of MDD, highlighting representative electrochemical sensors. Future trends in terms of new biomarkers, new sample processing methods, and new detection modalities are expected to provide a complete reference for psychiatrists and biomedical engineers.

Exosomal MicroRNAs: Biomarkers of moyamoya disease and involvement in vascular cytoskeleton reconstruction

Moyamoya disease currently lacks a suitable method for early clinical screening.This study aimed to identify a simple and feasible clinical screening index by investigating microRNAs carried by peripheral blood exosomes. Experimental subjects participated in venous blood collection, and exosomes were isolated using Exquick-related technology. Sequencing was performed on the extracted exosomal ribonucleic acids (RNAs) to identify differential microRNAs. Verification of the results involved selecting relevant samples from the genetic database. The study successfully pinpointed a potential marker for early screening, hsa-miR-328-3p + hsa-miR-200c-3p carried by peripheral blood exosomes. Enrichment analysis of target genes revealed associations with intercellular junctions, impaired cytoskeletal regulation, and increased fibroblast proliferation, leading to bilateral internal carotid artery neointimal expansion and progressive stenosis. These findings establish the diagnostic value of hsa-miR-328-3p+hsa-miR-200c-3p in screening moyamoya disease, while also contributing to a deeper understanding of its underlying pathophysiology. Significant differences in microRNA expressions derived from peripheral blood exosomes were observed between moyamoya disease patients and control subjects. Consequently, the utilization of peripheral blood exosomes, specifically hsa-miR-328-3p + hsa-miR-200c-3p, holds potential for diagnostic screening purposes.

miRNAs in treatment-resistant depression: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is a condition in a subset of depressed patients characterized by resistance to antidepressant medications. The global prevalence of TRD has been steadily increasing, yet significant advancements in its diagnosis and treatment remain elusive despite extensive research efforts. The precise underlying pathogenic mechanisms are still not fully understood. Epigenetic mechanisms play a vital role in a wide range of diseases. In recent years, investigators have increasingly focused on the regulatory roles of miRNAs in the onset and progression of TRD. miRNAs are a class of noncoding RNA molecules that regulate the translation and degradation of their target mRNAs via interaction, making the exploration of their functions in TRD essential for elucidating their pathogenic mechanisms.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic search was conducted in four databases, namely PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase, focusing on studies related to treatment-resistant depression and miRNAs. The search was performed using terms individually or in combination, such as "treatment-resistant depression," "medication-resistant depression," and "miRNAs." The selected articles were reviewed and collated, covering the time period from the inception of each database to the end of February 2024. We found that miRNAs play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of TRD through three main aspects: 1) involvement in miRNA-mediated inflammatory responses (including miR-155, miR-345-5p, miR-146a, and miR-146a-5p); 2) influence on 5-HT transport processes (including miR-674,miR-708, and miR-133a); and 3) regulation of synaptic plasticity (including has-miR-335-5p,has-miR- 1292-3p, let-7b, and let-7c). Investigating the differential expression and interactions of these miRNAs could contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying TRD.

CONCLUSIONS

miRNAs might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of TRD. Gaining a deeper understanding of the roles and interrelations of miRNAs in TRD will contribute to elucidating disease pathogenesis and potentially provide avenues for the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Exosomes in brain diseases: Pathogenesis and therapeutic targets

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles with diameters of about 100 nm that are naturally secreted by cells into body fluids. They are derived from endosomes and are wrapped in lipid membranes. Exosomes are involved in intracellular metabolism and intercellular communication. They contain nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and metabolites from the cell microenvironment and cytoplasm. The contents of exosomes can reflect their cells' origin and allow the observation of tissue changes and cell states under disease conditions. Naturally derived exosomes have specific biomolecules that act as the "fingerprint" of the parent cells, and the contents changed under pathological conditions can be used as biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Exosomes have low immunogenicity, are small in size, and can cross the blood-brain barrier. These characteristics make exosomes unique as engineering carriers. They can incorporate therapeutic drugs and achieve targeted drug delivery. Exosomes as carriers for targeted disease therapy are still in their infancy, but exosome engineering provides a new perspective for cell-free disease therapy. This review discussed exosomes and their relationship with the occurrence and treatment of some neuropsychiatric diseases. In addition, future applications of exosomes in the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders were evaluated in this review.