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Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Bronchoalveolar Lavage Exosomes in Lipopolysaccharide-induced Septic Lung Injury
Published on: May 21, 2018
Intercellular communication by extracellular vesicles and their microRNAs in asthma
Yu Fujita1, Yusuke Yoshioka2, Saburo Ito3
1Division of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, National Cancer Center Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan; Division of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their microRNAs (miRNAs) play roles in asthma. These EVs show potential as biomarkers for diagnosing and treating this airway inflammatory disease.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are key mediators of intercellular communication.
- EVs contain diverse biomolecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs), with diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
- Their role in pulmonary inflammatory and allergic diseases, like asthma, is gaining significant attention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the function of EVs and their miRNAs in asthma.
- To explore the biological properties, biogenesis, and pathophysiologic roles of EVs in asthma.
- To discuss the potential of EVs and miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for asthma.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on EVs and miRNAs in asthma.
- Analysis of findings on the biological functions of EVs in asthmatic progression.
- Examination of the association between circulating miRNAs and EVs.
Main Results:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid-derived EVs influence asthmatic progression.
- EVs may regulate airway inflammation and allergic responses via paracrine signaling.
- Circulating miRNAs are frequently found associated with EVs.
Conclusions:
- EVs and their miRNA cargo represent promising biomarkers for asthma.
- EV-mediated miRNAs offer potential for asthma diagnosis and monitoring.
- Further research into EVs could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for asthma.
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