The Exosomes: Staring Biomarkers and Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Extracellular vesicles (EVs, formerly known as exosomes) are small, extracellular membrane-bound particles that play a role in cellular communication via transporting different cargos, including proteins, DNAs, RNAs, etc. Their role has been shown in different endocrine/paracrine signaling in different organs, such as the cardiovascular system. Currently, mortality and morbidity rates caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD) have become an important issue among healthcare systems all over the world. EVs great potentials for clinical diagnosis and treatment offer a bright future in assessing different types of CVDs. In this review, we have summarized the variable roles of these nano-sized biological membrane-enclosed vesicles in myocardial injury, repair, and regeneration. We have also reviewed the value of EVs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in cardiology medicine and emphasized the promising capabilities of EVs as natural drug-delivery vehicles as a novel targeting treatment.