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The role of extracellular vesicles in placental vascular complications

Anat Aharon1

  • 1Microvesicles Research Laboratory, Thrombosis and Hemostasis Unit, Department of Hematology, Rambam Health Care Campus; Haifa, Israel; Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology; Haifa, Israel.

Thrombosis Research
|April 24, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are crucial for cell communication and signaling. This review explores their role in healthy pregnancy and gestational vascular complications, highlighting placental-maternal crosstalk.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive biology
  • Cellular biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Extracellular vesicles (EVs), also known as microvesicles (MVs), are released by cells and found in circulation.
  • EVs carry diverse biomolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids (DNA, microRNAs, mRNAs), and growth factors.
  • Their levels are altered in various disease states, suggesting roles in pathology and physiology.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the multifaceted roles of EVs in normal pregnancy.
  • To examine the involvement of EVs in the pathophysiology of gestational vascular complications.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms by which EVs mediate placental-maternal communication.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on EVs in pregnancy.
  • Analysis of studies investigating EV content and function.
  • Synthesis of data on EV involvement in placental hemostasis and gene regulation.

Main Results:

  • EVs play significant roles in regulating gene expression, maintaining placental hemostasis, and influencing cell function during pregnancy.
  • Altered EV profiles are associated with gestational vascular complications.
  • EVs are key mediators of placental-maternal crosstalk.

Conclusions:

  • EVs are vital components of intercellular communication during pregnancy.
  • Understanding EV dynamics offers insights into healthy pregnancy and potential therapeutic targets for gestational vascular disorders.
  • Further research into EVs can advance diagnostics and treatments for pregnancy complications.
Keywords:
ExosomesExtracellular membrane vesicles (EVs)Gestational vascular complications (GVC)Microparticles (MPs)PregnancymicroRNA (miRNA)

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