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Published on: November 8, 2024
Extracellular vesicles derived from different brain tissue cells: A potential therapeutic measure for
Yitong Guan1, Lijun Yang1, Hong Cui2
1Department of Pediatrics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
Insights
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) show neuroprotective effects in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI). Research highlights their role in intercellular communication and potential for novel therapeutic strategies against HIBI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and stroke cause significant brain injury.
- Hypothermia, the standard treatment, has controversial efficacy for immature brain injury.
- Understanding neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) mechanisms and treatments is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the functional characteristics of brain-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs).
- To highlight advancements in understanding EVs' role in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI).
- To provide insights for HIBI pathogenesis and novel therapeutic approaches.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on extracellular vesicles (EVs) in neonatal brain injury.
- Analysis of studies detailing EV cargo (miRNAs, DNA, proteins) and functions.
- Synthesis of research on EVs from various brain cell types (neurons, glia, endothelial, stem cells).
Main Results:
- Brain cells secrete EVs that mediate intercellular communication.
- EVs carry diverse bioactive molecules influencing recipient cells.
- EVs exert neuroprotective effects by enhancing plasticity, modulating inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and regulating autophagy.
Conclusions:
- Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a significant role in neuroprotection.
- EVs offer potential as innovative therapeutic strategies for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI).
- Further research into EVs can advance understanding and treatment of HIBD.
Abstract:
Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy/neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage and neonatal acute ischemic stroke are common causes of hypoxic-ischemic brain injury (HIBI) in the neonatal period, which may lead to permanent neurological sequelae. It is difficult to distinguish the two in the early stage. As a timely brain protection measure, hypothermia is still the standard treatment, but its efficacy in the treatment of immature brain injury is still controversial. The underlying pathophysiological mechanisms and effective treatment strategies of neonatal HIBI have been an active area of research. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a class of nanoscale membranous structures, play a critical role in intercellular communication by facilitating the transfer of bioactive molecules or engaging in receptor-mediated interactions. Recent studies have demonstrated that various cell types within brain tissue, including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells, and stem cells, secrete substantial amounts of EVs. These vesicles carry diverse cargo, such as microRNAs, DNA, and proteins, which exert regulatory effects on recipient cells within the brain, thereby mediating neuroprotective effects. These effects include enhancing synaptic plasticity, modulating neuroinflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and regulating cellular autophagy, collectively contributing to neuroprotection. This review aims to summarize the functional characteristics of EVs derived from different cell types within the brain and to highlight recent advancements in this field. By providing insights into the role of EVs in HIBI, it seeks to provide novel insights and references for understanding the pathogenesis of neonatal HIBI and exploring innovative therapeutic approaches.
