Exosomes: The New Mediator of Peritoneal Membrane Function

Fibrosis and angiogenesis are the most common processes that result in progressive peritoneal tissue remodeling and, eventually, peritoneal membrane dysfunction. The role of exosomes, which contributes to intercellular communication, in these processes has been neglected. Various biomolecules, including DNA, mRNA, proteins, lipids, and particular certain miRNAs, can be transferred by exosomes to local, neighboring and distal cells. Upon stimulation by cytokines or other microenvironment stimuli, donor cells release a mass of exosomes to peritoneal mesothelial cells, further affecting fibrosis and angiogenesis. This important exosomes-mediated intracellular communication is thought to regulate peritoneal membrane function. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of these processes, targeting changes in exosomes and regulating exosomal miRNAs will advance therapeutic methods for protecting peritoneal membrane function.