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Updated: Nov 4, 2025

Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
Agony of choice: How anesthetics affect the composition and function of extracellular vesicles
Frederik Abel1, Bernd Giebel2, Ulrich H Frey3
1Klinik für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Universität Duisburg-Essen, Hufelandstrasse 55, 45147 Essen, Germany.
Abstract:
The choice of the anesthetic regime is suggested to affect clinical outcomes following major surgery. Propofol was shown to exert beneficial effects on different cancer outcomes, while volatile anesthetics may be favorable in cardiac surgery. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were discovered as essential signal mediators in physiological and pathophysiological processes including carcinogenesis and metastasis. Furthermore, depending on their cell source, EVs fulfill therapeutic functions. In addition to extracorporally produced EVs, appropriate systemic intervention such as remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) is considered to promote endogenous release of therapeutically active EVs to mediate cardioprotective effects. EVs are assembled in cell-type specific manners and the composition of EVs is not only affected by the disease, but also by the applied anesthetic of anesthetized patients. Here, we compare known impacts of anesthetic agents on outcomes in cancer surgery and cardioprotection and link these effects to the composition and therapeutic potential of EVs.
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