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Assessing platelet-derived extracellular vesicles for potential as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular diseases
1Department of Biochemistry, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
Insights
Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) play a key role in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) by transporting molecules that influence thrombosis and inflammation. Understanding PEV mechanisms offers new therapeutic strategies for CVD prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Research
- Extracellular Vesicle Biology
- Molecular Medicine
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading global cause of mortality.
- Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEVs) are increasingly recognized for their involvement in CVD pathophysiology.
- PEV cargo influences critical processes including thrombosis, immune responses, and angiogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted role of PEVs in various cardiovascular diseases.
- To elucidate the impact of PEV molecular cargo (nucleic acids, lipids, proteins) on disease progression.
- To explore PEV-based therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on PEVs in atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure.
- Analysis of the molecular composition of PEVs and their functional consequences.
- Examination of current and potential therapeutic applications of PEVs.
Main Results:
- Dysregulated PEV cargo contributes to detrimental pathophysiological effects in CVD.
- Modulating PEV activity may inhibit inflammation, promote angiogenesis, and prevent cardiomyocyte death.
- PEVs show promise as biocompatible, autologous drug delivery systems.
Conclusions:
- PEVs are significant contributors to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis.
- Targeting PEV mechanisms presents novel therapeutic opportunities for CVD.
- Further research into PEV function is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Introduction:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Platelet-derived extracellular vesicles (PEV) have attracted extensive attention in cardiovascular disease research in recent years because their cargo is involved in a variety of pathophysiological processes, such as thrombosis, immune response, promotion or inhibition of inflammatory response, promotion of angiogenesis as well as cell proliferation and migration.
Areas Covered:
This review explores the role of PEV in various cardiovascular diseases (such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and heart failure), with relation to its molecular cargo (nucleic acids, bioactive lipids, proteins) and aims to provide new insights in the pathophysiologic role of PEV, and methods for preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases based on PEV.
Expert Opinion:
Studies have shown that the cargo of PEV may be dysregulated during cardiovascular disease and delivery to tissues can result in detrimental pathophysiologic effects. Counteracting this process might have the potential to inhibit inflammation, promote angiogenesis, and inhibit cardiomyocyte death. In addition, PEV have potential as biocompatible and autologous drug carriers. Therefore, better research on the mechanisms how PEV act during cardiovascular disease and could be implemented as a therapeutic will provide new perspectives for the treatment of cardiovascular disease.
