Extracellular vesicles: Potential impact on cardiovascular diseases

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have received considerable attention in biological and clinical research due to their ability to mediate cell-to-cell communication. Based on their size and secretory origin, EVs are categorized as exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. Increasing number of studies highlight the contribution of EVs in the regulation of a wide range of normal cellular physiological processes, including waste scavenging, cellular stress reduction, intercellular communication, immune regulation, and cellular homeostasis modulation. Altered circulating EV level, expression pattern, or content in plasma of patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in diverse cardiovascular pathologies. Due to their inherent characteristics and physiological functions, EVs, in turn, have become potential candidates as therapeutic agents. In this review, we discuss the evolving understanding of the role of EVs in CVD, summarize the current knowledge of EV-mediated regulatory mechanisms, and highlight potential strategies for the diagnosis and therapy of CVD. We also attempt to look into the future that may advance our understanding of the role of EVs in the pathogenesis of CVD and provide novel insights into the field of translational medicine.