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Characterization of Immune Cell-derived Extracellular Vesicles and Studying Functional Impact on Cell Environment
Published on: June 2, 2020
Microglial Extracellular Vesicles as Vehicles for Neurodegeneration Spreading
Inês Dinis Aires1,2,3, Teresa Ribeiro-Rodrigues1,2,3, Raquel Boia1,2,3
1Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), University of Coimbra, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract:
Microglial cells are the neuroimmune competent cells of the central nervous system. In the adult, microglia are responsible for screening the neuronal parenchyma searching for alterations in homeostasis. Chronic neuroinflammation plays a role in neurodegenerative disease. Indeed, microglia-mediated neuroinflammation is involved in the onset and progression of several disorders in the brain and retina. Microglial cell reactivity occurs in an orchestrated manner and propagates across the neural parenchyma spreading the neuroinflammatory signal from cell to cell. Extracellular vesicles are important vehicles of intercellular communication and act as message carriers across boundaries. Extracellular vesicles can be subdivided in several categories according to their cellular origin (apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes), each presenting, different but sometimes overlapping functions in cell communication. Mounting evidence suggests a role for extracellular vesicles in regulating microglial cell action. Herein, we explore the role of microglial extracellular vesicles as vehicles for cell communication and the mechanisms that trigger their release. In this review we covered the role of microglial extracellular vesicles, focusing on apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes, in the context of neurodegeneration and the impact of these vesicles derived from other cells in microglial cell reactivity.
Insights
Microglial extracellular vesicles mediate cell-to-cell communication in the central nervous system. This review explores their role in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration, including exosomes and microvesicles.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Microglial cells are key immune cells in the central nervous system, monitoring for homeostatic alterations.
- Chronic neuroinflammation involving microglia contributes to neurodegenerative diseases in the brain and retina.
- Microglial reactivity propagates inflammatory signals throughout neural tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the function of microglial extracellular vesicles in intercellular communication.
- To investigate mechanisms triggering the release of microglial extracellular vesicles.
- To review the role of different types of microglial extracellular vesicles (apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, exosomes) in neurodegeneration.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on microglial extracellular vesicles.
- Analysis of intercellular communication mechanisms involving extracellular vesicles.
- Examination of the impact of extracellular vesicles on microglial reactivity.
Main Results:
- Extracellular vesicles are crucial for communication between microglial cells.
- Different categories of extracellular vesicles (apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, exosomes) have distinct roles.
- Microglial extracellular vesicles are implicated in the progression of neurodegenerative conditions.
Conclusions:
- Microglial extracellular vesicles are significant mediators of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
- Understanding microglial extracellular vesicle function is vital for therapeutic strategies.
- Extracellular vesicles from other cells can modulate microglial reactivity, impacting disease pathogenesis.
