Exosomes in Cardiovascular Disease: From Mechanism to Therapeutic Target
Allison B Reiss1, Saba Ahmed1, Maryann Johnson1
1Department of Medicine and Biomedical Research Institute, NYU Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) research is exploring exosomes, tiny vesicles involved in cell communication. These exosomes show promise as diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic delivery systems for heart conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical research
- Cardiovascular science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading global cause of death, despite advances in treatment.
- Significant residual risk and the complex pathophysiology of CVD necessitate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Exosomes are emerging as key players in intercellular communication within the cardiovascular system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of exosomes in cardiovascular homeostasis and disease.
- To highlight specific microRNAs (miRNAs) within exosomes relevant to CVD.
- To discuss the application of exosomes as diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic nanocarriers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of exosome biology and function in cardiovascular contexts.
- Analysis of miRNA profiles in exosomes under pathophysiological conditions.
- Exploration of current and emerging technologies for exosome-based therapies.
Main Results:
- Exosomes released by various cardiac and vascular cells mediate intercellular communication.
- miRNA content of exosomes reflects the cardiac pathophysiological state, offering potential therapeutic targets.
- Exosomes demonstrate potential as noninvasive biomarkers and vehicles for gene therapy, regeneration, and repair.
Conclusions:
- Exosomes represent a promising frontier in cardiovascular research for both diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Targeting exosome-derived miRNAs could lead to innovative treatments for CVD.
- Exosome-based nanotechnology offers new avenues for regenerative medicine in cardiovascular care.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. In recent decades, clinical research has made significant advances, resulting in improved survival and recovery rates for patients with CVD. Despite this progress, there is substantial residual CVD risk and an unmet need for better treatment. The complex and multifaceted pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of CVD pose a challenge for researchers seeking effective therapeutic interventions. Consequently, exosomes have emerged as a new focus for CVD research because their role as intercellular communicators gives them the potential to act as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic nanocarriers. In the heart and vasculature, cell types such as cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle, cardiac fibroblasts, inflammatory cells, and resident stem cells are involved in cardiac homeostasis via the release of exosomes. Exosomes encapsulate cell-type specific miRNAs, and this miRNA content fluctuates in response to the pathophysiological setting of the heart, indicating that the pathways affected by these differentially expressed miRNAs may be targets for new treatments. This review discusses a number of miRNAs and the evidence that supports their clinical relevance in CVD. The latest technologies in applying exosomal vesicles as cargo delivery vehicles for gene therapy, tissue regeneration, and cell repair are described.
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