Microvesicles and exosomes for intracardiac communication

Abstract

The heart is an organ with a complex mixture of well-organized interactions of different cell types that facilitate proper myocardial contractility, sufficient perfusion, balanced myocardial extracellular stiffness, and controlled functioning of the immune system. Several cell types, including cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, and cardiac-derived stem cells, need a well-controlled communication system to use the complex orchestra of signalling molecules. The intercellular communication includes direct cell-cell contact, cell-matrix interaction, long-range signals, and electrical and extracellular chemical molecules. In addition to the extracellular molecules that cells can use to influence their environment, more and more attention is focused on the release of extracellular membrane vesicles by cells. These vesicles were always thought to be cell debris derivatives, but it appeared that these vesicles are used for horizontal transfer of information between cells, containing proteins, peptides, several classes of RNA molecules, and sometimes DNA. The main populations of released vesicles are classified on their (intra)cellular origin and include apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes. Here, we provide an overview on the role of vesicles in cardiac communication and their use as potential therapeutics and biomarkers.

WT1 in Cardiac Development and Disease

“…After MI, PF contains an increased number of exosomes, which are small extracellular microvesicles. These vesicles contain bioactive molecules and are important for intracellular communication and activation (60). Recent proteomic analysis by Foglio et al (59) showed that clusterin is highly enriched in exosomes of PF of patients after MI.…”

Doxorubicin Expands <i>in Vivo</i> Secretion of Circulating Exosome in Mice

“…7,8,28) Exosome release is triggered by various stimuli. 29,30) Nonetheless, the effect of anticancer agents on in vivo exosome secretion remains to be elucidated. In the present study, treatment with DXR significantly elevated serum exosome levels, expressed as exosomal protein concentration per unit of serum, in mice at 24 h post injection (Figs.…”

MicroRNAs for Restenosis and Thrombosis After Vascular Injury

“…It was demonstrated that under different conditions, exosomes are released from cardiac cells, mediating cell-to-cell communication. [135][136][137][138] Another promising class of nanoparticles useful for miRNAs delivery is represented by virus-like particles. 139 Viruslike particles are monodisperse particles, uniform in size and shape, consisting of the virus capsid devoid of genetic material.…”