Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 1, 2025

Delivery of Exogenous Artificially Synthesized miRNA Mimic to the Kidney Using Polyethylenimine Nanoparticles in Several Kidney Disease Mouse Models
07:01

Delivery of Exogenous Artificially Synthesized miRNA Mimic to the Kidney Using Polyethylenimine Nanoparticles in Several Kidney Disease Mouse Models

Published on: May 10, 2022

1.7K

To the Future: The Role of Exosome-Derived microRNAs as Markers, Mediators, and Therapies for Endothelial Dysfunction

Maurice B Fluitt1, Neal Mohit1,2, Kanwal K Gambhir1

  • 1Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, 520 W St NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA.

Journal of Diabetes Research
|March 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accelerates cardiovascular disease (CVD) by causing endothelial dysfunction. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are key mediators, offering potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for T2DM-related vascular complications.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus (DM), particularly Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is a global health crisis with rising prevalence.
  • T2DM significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), a leading cause of death, and is linked to endothelial dysfunction (ED).
  • Current intensive glucose control strategies have not fully mitigated macro- and microvascular complications in T2DM patients, necessitating deeper mechanistic understanding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins in mediating endothelial dysfunction in the context of T2DM.
  • To highlight the potential of exosomal miRNAs as diagnostic markers, disease mediators, and therapeutic targets for T2DM-associated vascular complications.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on the molecular mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction in T2DM.
  • Analysis of the role of exosomes and exosomal miRNAs in intercellular communication within the vascular system.
  • Discussion of current research on exosomal content in diabetes-induced vascular complications.

Main Results:

  • Exosomes, particularly their miRNA cargo, play a significant role in facilitating cell-to-cell communication and modulating endothelial cell function.
  • Exosomal miRNAs are implicated in the development and progression of diabetes-induced endothelial dysfunction.
  • Specific exosomal miRNAs show potential as biomarkers for early detection and as therapeutic agents to combat T2DM-related vascular damage.

Conclusions:

  • Exosomal miRNAs are critical players in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction associated with T2DM.
  • Targeting exosomal miRNAs presents a promising avenue for developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for T2DM cardiovascular complications.
  • Further research into exosomal miRNA function is essential for ameliorating endothelial dysfunction and improving outcomes in diabetic patients.

More Related Videos

Purification and Transplantation of Myogenic Progenitor Cell Derived Exosomes to Improve Cardiac Function in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophic Mice08:13

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

Published on: April 10, 2019

6.2K
Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media10:45

Purification and microRNA Profiling of Exosomes Derived from Blood and Culture Media

Published on: June 14, 2013

32.0K

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Exosomes01:36

Overview of Exosomes

Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
2.9K
Carbohydrate Metabolism01:36

Carbohydrate Metabolism

Carbohydrates are polymers composed of molecules containing atoms of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. One gram of carbohydrate can provide four kilo-calories of energy, which makes it the most efficient instant energy source.
Starch accounts for approximately 60% of the carbohydrates consumed by humans. Since amylase enzymes cannot function in the stomach's acidic environment, starch can only be digested in the mouth and small intestine. Simple sugars are found naturally in milk and fruits in...
12.1K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.2K
Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy01:15

Diabetes: Management and Pharmacotherapy

The therapy for diabetes aims to alleviate hyperglycemia-related symptoms, prevent acute metabolic decompensation, and reduce chronic end-organ complications. Glycemic control is evaluated through short-term (self-monitoring, continuous glucose monitoring) and long-term (A1c, fructosamine) metrics, enabling near real-time tracking of blood glucose levels and reflecting glycemic control over specific time frames.
Insulin remains the cornerstone of treatment for most patients with type 1 and many...
427
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility,...
1.5K
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
3.1K