Exosomes in Atherosclerosis, a Double-Edged Sword: Their Role in Disease Pathogenesis and Their Potential as Novel

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Purification and Transplantation of Myogenic Progenitor Cell Derived Exosomes to Improve Cardiac Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophic Mice
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Purification and Transplantation of Myogenic Progenitor Cell Derived Exosomes to Improve Cardiac Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophic Mice

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Neil Patel1, Deborah D Chin1, Eun Ji Chung2,3,4,5

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, 1042 Downey Way, DRB 140, California, Los Angeles, 90089, USA.

The AAPS Journal
|July 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Exosomes from vascular cells play key roles in atherosclerosis. Engineering these exosomes offers potential for treating cardiovascular disease (CAD) by enhancing their therapeutic capabilities.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Science
  • Cell Biology
  • Nanomedicine

Background:

  • Atherosclerosis, a primary cause of cardiovascular disease (CAD) mortality, involves intercellular communication via exosomes.
  • Exosomes secreted by vascular endothelial cells (VECs), vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), immune cells, and platelets mediate this communication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review exosome biogenesis, uptake, and their roles in atherosclerosis.
  • To discuss strategies for enhancing atheroprotective exosomes for therapeutic applications in CAD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of exosome function in atherosclerosis.
  • Analysis of exosome engineering techniques, including drug loading and surface modification.

Main Results:

  • Exosomes exhibit both atherogenic and atheroprotective functions depending on their cell of origin.
  • Drug loading and surface modification can enhance the therapeutic potential and targeting of atheroprotective exosomes.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomes are critical mediators in atherosclerosis, offering therapeutic targets.
  • Engineering exosomes presents a promising, yet challenging, avenue for cardiovascular disease treatment.

Keywords:
atherosclerosisdrug deliveryengineered exosomesextracellular vesiclesnanoparticle

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