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Exosomes in neurologic and psychiatric disorders
Irene Tsilioni1, Smaro Panagiotidou1, Theoharis C Theoharides2
1Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts.
Clinical Therapeutics
|June 11, 2014
Summary
Exosomes play a key role in neurologic and psychiatric diseases by spreading toxic proteins. These tiny vesicles show promise as drug delivery vehicles for treating brain disorders, especially when combined with flavonoids.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Exosomes are extracellular vesicles released by various cells, including those in the nervous system.
- These vesicles are implicated in the intercellular communication and pathogenesis of central nervous system (CNS) disorders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of exosomes in neurologic and psychiatric diseases.
- To explore potential therapeutic applications of exosomes in treating these conditions.
Main Methods:
- A literature search was conducted on PubMed from 2000 to 2014.
- Keywords included exosomes, microvesicles, neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, and specific diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Main Results:
- Exosomes are involved in the spread of misfolded or toxic proteins in CNS diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, and schizophrenia.
- These proteins act as templates, promoting the formation of disease-causing oligomers.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes' ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and be incorporated into cells makes them suitable as drug and genetic delivery vehicles.
- Flavonoids, with their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could be incorporated into exosomes for enhanced therapeutic effects in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
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