EVs-miRNA: The New Molecular Markers for Chronic Respiratory Diseases

Abstract

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and sleep disorders are chronic respiratory diseases that affect the airways, compromising lung function over time. These diseases affect hundreds of millions of people around the world and their frequency seems to be increasing every year. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small-sized vesicles released by every cell in the body. They are present in most body fluids and contain various biomolecules including proteins, lipids, mRNA and non-coding RNA (micro-RNA). The EVs can release their cargo, specifically micro-RNAs (miRNAs), to both neighboring and/or distal cells, playing a fundamental role in cell–cell communication. Recent studies have shown their possible role in the pathogenesis of various chronic respiratory diseases. The expression of miRNAs and, in particular, of miRNAs contained within the extracellular vesicles seems to be a good starting point in order to identify new potential biomarkers of disease, allowing a non-invasive clinical diagnosis. In this review we summarize some studies, present in the literature, about the functions of extracellular vesicles and miRNAs contained in extracellular vesicles in chronic respiratory diseases and we discuss the potential clinical applications of EVs and EVs-miRNAs for their possible use such as future biomarkers.

3D bioprinting approaches for spinal cord injury repair

“…By employing new material formulations such as selfhealing hydrogels, it is possible to bioprint scaffolds that permit a sustained release of MSC-EVs following implantation to allow long-term neurogenesis and functional restoration in SCI models [166]. Despite exciting prospects, future explorations of cell-derived products such as EVs for incorporation into bioprinted scaffolds would benefit from a range of technical considerations, such as the variability of donor cells and hence EV therapeutic functions, and the effects of isolation method on total yield and EV purity [167]. The ability to translate new cell-based therapies and cell-derived products to clinical trials and commercial applications also depends on other practical considerations, such as safety, cost-effectiveness, and whether they can be generated on a sustainable scale.…”

Biomaterial-enabled 3D cell culture technologies for extracellular vesicle manufacturing

“…148 miRNA found in EVs not only give valuable information about the parent cell's function, but also act as cargo in therapeutic EVs. 149,150 Recent reports have demonstrated 3D culture derived EVs containing a different miRNA cargo profile compared to 2D culture derived EVs, likely due to the change in cell phenotype. 92 This was discovered through a study by Thippabhotla et al where they used a non-adherent peptide hydrogel to form spheroid cultures using HeLa cells.…”

Endotypes of occupational asthma

“…More recently, the attention has moved towards the role of microRNA (MiRNAs) profiles because of their relevance in the pathophysiology of allergic diseases and their potential as biomarkers in liquid biopsies [ 2 ▪ , 3 ].…”