Sticky Exosomes Can Worsen the Outcome of Stroke

Researchers here note a novel mechanism by which exosomes might cause issues following a stroke. Exosomes are a form of intracellular communication, membrane-bound packages of molecules that are released and taken up by cells in large numbers. Researchers are usually concerned with the way in which exosome cargo affects the behavior of cells once the exosomes are taken up, but here they note changes in exosome structure following a stroke that leads them to clump and block blood vessels. This is an interesting mechanism, and it will be equally interesting to see how the research community chooses to try to address it.

Researchers have found that after stroke, exosomes - nanosized biological suitcases packed with an assortment of cargo that cells swap, like proteins and fats - traveling in the blood get activated and sticky and start accumulating on the lining of blood vessels. Like a catastrophic freeway pileup, platelets, also tiny cells that enable our blood to clot after an injury, start adhering to the now-sticky exosomes, causing a buildup that can effectively form another clot, further obstruct blood flow to the brain and cause additional destruction.

One thing traveling exosomes typically aren't is sticky. Rather, much like our real suitcases, they have a smooth label that marks their intended destination. But when these external destination tags become inexplicably sticky following a stroke, not only do exosomes not reach their destination, they can wo...

Source: Fight Aging! - January 21, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Reason Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs