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Horizontal transfer of RNA and proteins between cells by extracellular microvesicles: 14 years later

Mariusz Z Ratajczak1, Janina Ratajczak2

  • 1Stem Cell Institute at James Graham Brown Cancer Center, University of Louisville, 500 S. Floyd Street, Rm. 107, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA. mzrata01@louisville.edu.

Clinical and Translational Medicine
|March 5, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Extracellular microvesicles (ExMVs) transfer functional RNA and proteins between cells, revolutionizing cell communication research. These vesicles are now key targets for liquid biopsy and understanding disease biomarkers.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Extracellular microvesicles (ExMVs) are secreted by cells and implicated in biological processes.
  • ExMVs were first shown to transfer functional RNA and proteins between cells 14 years ago.
  • This discovery initiated the field of horizontal transfer of bioactive molecules in cell-cell communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the progress in the field of ExMV-mediated intercellular communication.
  • To highlight the role of ExMVs in horizontal transfer of RNA and proteins.
  • To discuss the potential of ExMVs as biomarkers for pathological processes and liquid biopsy.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on ExMV function and cargo.
  • Analysis of research demonstrating RNA and protein transfer via ExMVs.
  • Examination of ExMVs as diagnostic markers.

Main Results:

  • ExMVs facilitate horizontal transfer of functional RNA (mRNA, noncoding RNA, miRNA) and proteins.
  • ExMVs can alter target cell function through translated mRNAs and regulated miRNAs.
  • ExMVs are promising candidates for liquid biopsy due to their presence in biofluids.

Conclusions:

  • ExMV-mediated horizontal transfer is a validated mechanism of cell-cell communication.
  • ExMVs represent a significant advancement in understanding intercellular signaling.
  • The diagnostic potential of ExMVs as biomarkers is substantial and continues to be explored.
Keywords:
Circulating RNAExMVsExosomesHorizontal transfer of RNALiquid biopsiesRNARegenerative medicine

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