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Cells Jul 2019The use of extracellular vesicles, specifically exosomes, as carriers of biomarkers in extracellular spaces has been well demonstrated. Despite their promising... (Review)
Review
The use of extracellular vesicles, specifically exosomes, as carriers of biomarkers in extracellular spaces has been well demonstrated. Despite their promising potential, the use of exosomes in the clinical setting is restricted due to the lack of standardization in exosome isolation and analysis methods. The purpose of this review is to not only introduce the different types of extracellular vesicles but also to summarize their differences and similarities, and discuss different methods of exosome isolation and analysis currently used. A thorough understanding of the isolation and analysis methods currently being used could lead to some standardization in the field of exosomal research, allowing the use of exosomes in the clinical setting to become a reality.
Topics: Animals; Cell Fractionation; Exosomes; Humans; Proteomics
PubMed: 31311206
DOI: 10.3390/cells8070727 -
Science (New York, N.Y.) Feb 2020The study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has the potential to identify unknown cellular and molecular mechanisms in intercellular communication and in organ homeostasis... (Review)
Review
The study of extracellular vesicles (EVs) has the potential to identify unknown cellular and molecular mechanisms in intercellular communication and in organ homeostasis and disease. Exosomes, with an average diameter of ~100 nanometers, are a subset of EVs. The biogenesis of exosomes involves their origin in endosomes, and subsequent interactions with other intracellular vesicles and organelles generate the final content of the exosomes. Their diverse constituents include nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, amino acids, and metabolites, which can reflect their cell of origin. In various diseases, exosomes offer a window into altered cellular or tissue states, and their detection in biological fluids potentially offers a multicomponent diagnostic readout. The efficient exchange of cellular components through exosomes can inform their applied use in designing exosome-based therapeutics.
Topics: Animals; Cardiovascular Diseases; Cell Communication; Exosomes; Humans; Infections; Metabolic Diseases; Neoplasms; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Reproduction
PubMed: 32029601
DOI: 10.1126/science.aau6977 -
Advanced Science (Weinheim,... May 2022Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that share components of their parent cells and are attractive in biotechnology and biomedical research as potential disease... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that share components of their parent cells and are attractive in biotechnology and biomedical research as potential disease biomarkers as well as therapeutic agents. Crucial to realizing this potential is the ability to manufacture high-quality exosomes; however, unlike biologics such as proteins, exosomes lack standardized Good Manufacturing Practices for their processing and characterization. Furthermore, there is a lack of well-characterized reference exosome materials to aid in selection of methods for exosome isolation, purification, and analysis. This review informs exosome research and technology development by comparing exosome processing and characterization methods and recommending exosome workflows. This review also provides a detailed introduction to exosomes, including their physical and chemical properties, roles in normal biological processes and in disease progression, and summarizes some of the on-going clinical trials.
Topics: Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; Industrial Development; Proteins
PubMed: 35332686
DOI: 10.1002/advs.202103222 -
Theranostics 2018Exosomes are common membrane-bound nanovesicles that contain diverse biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Exosomes are derived from cells through... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are common membrane-bound nanovesicles that contain diverse biomolecules, such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Exosomes are derived from cells through exocytosis, are ingested by target cells, and can transfer biological signals between local or distant cells. Exosome secretion is a constitutive phenomenon that is involved in both physiological and pathological processes and determines both the exosomal surface molecules and the contents. Hence, we can exploit exosomes as biomarkers, vaccines and drug carriers and modify them rationally for therapeutic interventions. However, it is still a challenge to identify, isolate and quantify exosomes accurately, efficiently and selectively. Further studies on exosomes will explore their potential in translational medicine and provide new avenues for the creation of effective clinical diagnostics and therapeutic strategies; the use of exosomes in these applications can be called exosome theranostics. This review describes the fundamental processes of exosome formation and uptake. In addition, the physiological and pathological roles of exosomes in biology are also illustrated with a focus on how exosomes can be exploited or engineered as powerful tools in translational medicine.
Topics: Animals; Biomarkers; Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; Humans; Theranostic Nanomedicine; Translational Research, Biomedical
PubMed: 29290805
DOI: 10.7150/thno.21945 -
International Journal of Nanomedicine 2020Exosomes are nano-sized small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, carrying nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and other bioactive substances to play a role in the... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are nano-sized small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells, carrying nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and other bioactive substances to play a role in the body's physiological and pathological processes. Compared to synthetic carriers such as liposomes and nanoparticles, the endogeneity and heterogeneity of exosomes give them extensive and unique advantages in the field of disease diagnosis and treatment. However, the storage stability, low yield, low purity, and weak targeting of exosomes limit its clinical application. For this reason, further exploration is needed to optimize the above problems and facilitate future functional studies of exosomes. In this paper, the origin, classification, preparation and characterization, storage stability and applications of exosome delivery system are summarized and discussed by searching a large number of literatures.
Topics: Cryopreservation; Drug Delivery Systems; Exosomes; Food; Freeze Drying; Humans; Molecular Biology; Molecular Targeted Therapy; Nucleic Acids; Proteins
PubMed: 33061359
DOI: 10.2147/IJN.S264498 -
Cell Apr 2019The heterogeneity of small extracellular vesicles and presence of non-vesicular extracellular matter have led to debate about contents and functional properties of...
The heterogeneity of small extracellular vesicles and presence of non-vesicular extracellular matter have led to debate about contents and functional properties of exosomes. Here, we employ high-resolution density gradient fractionation and direct immunoaffinity capture to precisely characterize the RNA, DNA, and protein constituents of exosomes and other non-vesicle material. Extracellular RNA, RNA-binding proteins, and other cellular proteins are differentially expressed in exosomes and non-vesicle compartments. Argonaute 1-4, glycolytic enzymes, and cytoskeletal proteins were not detected in exosomes. We identify annexin A1 as a specific marker for microvesicles that are shed directly from the plasma membrane. We further show that small extracellular vesicles are not vehicles of active DNA release. Instead, we propose a new model for active secretion of extracellular DNA through an autophagy- and multivesicular-endosome-dependent but exosome-independent mechanism. This study demonstrates the need for a reassessment of exosome composition and offers a framework for a clearer understanding of extracellular vesicle heterogeneity.
Topics: Annexin A1; Argonaute Proteins; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Membrane; Cell-Derived Microparticles; DNA; Exosomes; Extracellular Vesicles; Female; Humans; Lysosomes; Male; Proteins; RNA
PubMed: 30951670
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.02.029 -
Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics Feb 2015Exosomes are 40-100 nm nano-sized vesicles that are released from many cell types into the extracellular space. Such vesicles are widely distributed in various body... (Review)
Review
Exosomes are 40-100 nm nano-sized vesicles that are released from many cell types into the extracellular space. Such vesicles are widely distributed in various body fluids. Recently, mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified in exosomes, which can be taken up by neighboring or distant cells and subsequently modulate recipient cells. This suggests an active sorting mechanism of exosomal miRNAs, since the miRNA profiles of exosomes may differ from those of the parent cells. Exosomal miRNAs play an important role in disease progression, and can stimulate angiogenesis and facilitate metastasis in cancers. In this review, we will introduce the origin and the trafficking of exosomes between cells, display current research on the sorting mechanism of exosomal miRNAs, and briefly describe how exosomes and their miRNAs function in recipient cells. Finally, we will discuss the potential applications of these miRNA-containing vesicles in clinical settings.
Topics: Animals; Exosomes; Humans; MicroRNAs; Neoplasms; RNA, Messenger
PubMed: 25724326
DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2015.02.001 -
Molecular Cancer Feb 2022Liquid biopsy, characterized by minimally invasive detection through biofluids such as blood, saliva, and urine, has emerged as a revolutionary strategy for cancer... (Review)
Review
Liquid biopsy, characterized by minimally invasive detection through biofluids such as blood, saliva, and urine, has emerged as a revolutionary strategy for cancer diagnosis and prognosis prediction. Exosomes are a subset of extracellular vesicles (EVs) that shuttle molecular cargoes from donor cells to recipient cells and play a crucial role in mediating intercellular communication. Increasing studies suggest that exosomes have a great promise to serve as novel biomarkers in liquid biopsy, since large quantities of exosomes are enriched in body fluids and are involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes. However, the further clinical application of exosomes has been greatly restrained by the lack of high-quality separation and component analysis methods. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview on the conventional and novel technologies for exosome isolation, characterization and content detection. Additionally, the roles of exosomes serving as potential biomarkers in liquid biopsy for the diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and prognosis prediction of cancer are summarized. Finally, the prospects and challenges of applying exosome-based liquid biopsy to precision medicine are evaluated.
Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; Exosomes; Humans; Liquid Biopsy; Neoplasms; Precision Medicine; Prognosis
PubMed: 35180868
DOI: 10.1186/s12943-022-01509-9 -
Theranostics 2021Inflammasome is a complex of multiple proteins found in cytoplasm of the cells activated by infectious and/or non-infectious stimuli. This complex involves caspase-1... (Review)
Review
Inflammasome is a complex of multiple proteins found in cytoplasm of the cells activated by infectious and/or non-infectious stimuli. This complex involves caspase-1 activation, leading to unconventional secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 and inflammatory cascade. Exosome is the nanoscale membrane-bound extracellular vesicle that plays significant roles in intercellular communications by carrying bioactive molecules, e.g., proteins, RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), DNAs, from one cell to the others. In this review, we provide the update information on the crosstalk between exosome and inflammasome and their roles in inflammatory responses. The effects of inflammasome activation on exosomal secretion are summarized. On the other hand, the (dual) effects of exosomes on inhibiting and promoting inflammasome activation are discussed. Finally, perspectives on therapeutic roles of exosomes in human diseases and future direction of the research on exosome-inflammasome crosstalk are provided.
Topics: Animals; Cell Communication; Exosomes; Humans; Inflammasomes; Inflammation
PubMed: 33754070
DOI: 10.7150/thno.54004 -
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews... Apr 2019Exosomes play essential roles in intercellular communications. The exosome was discovered in 1983, when it was found that reticulocytes release 50-nm small vesicles... (Review)
Review
Exosomes play essential roles in intercellular communications. The exosome was discovered in 1983, when it was found that reticulocytes release 50-nm small vesicles carrying transferrin receptors into the extracellular space. Since then, our understanding of the mechanism and function of the exosome has expanded exponentially that has transformed our perspective of inter-cellular exchanges and the molecular mechanisms that underlie disease progression. Cancer cells generally produce more exosomes than normal cells, and exosomes derived from cancer cells have a strong capacity to modify both local and distant microenvironments. In this review, we summarize the functions of exosomes in cancer development, metastasis, and anti-tumor or pro-tumor immunity, plus their application in cancer treatment and diagnosis/prognosis. Although the exosome field has rapidly advanced, we still do not fully understand the regulation and function of exosomes in detail and still face many challenges in their clinical application. Continued discoveries in this field will bring novel insights on intercellular communications involved in various biological functions and disease progression, thus empowering us to effectively tackle accompanying clinical challenges.
Topics: Animals; Exosomes; Humans; Neoplasm Invasiveness; Neoplasms; Tumor Microenvironment
PubMed: 31047959
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2019.04.004