The roles and therapeutic potential of exosomal non-coding RNAs in microglia-mediated intercellular communication

Exosomes, which are small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), serve as versatile regulators of intercellular communication in the progression of various diseases, including neurological disorders. Among the diverse array of cargo they carry, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play key regulatory roles in various pathophysiological processes. Exosomal ncRNAs derived from distinct cells modulate their reciprocal crosstalk locally or remotely, thereby mediating neurological diseases. Nevertheless, the emerging role of exosomal ncRNAsin microglia-mediated phenotypes remains largely unexplored. This review aims to summarise the biological functions of exosomal ncRNAs and the molecular mechanisms that underlie their impact on microglia-mediated intercellular communication, modulating neuroinflammation and synaptic functions within the landscape of neurological disorders. Furthermore, this review comprehensively described the potential applications of exosomal ncRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as innovative therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.