Extracellular vesicle interplay in cardiovascular pathophysiology

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2021 Mar 5. doi: 10.1152/ajpheart.00925.2020. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized lipid bilayer-delimited particles released from cells that mediate intercellular communications and play a pivotal role in various physiological and pathological processes. Subtypes of EVs may include plasma-membrane ectosomes or microvesicles and endosomal-origin exosomes, although functional distinctions remain unclear. EVs carry cargo proteins, nucleic acids (RNA and DNA), lipids, and metabolites. By presenting or transferring this cargo to recipient cells, EVs can trigger cellular responses. Here, we summarize what is known about EV biogenesis, composition, and function, with an emphasis on the role of EVs in cardiovascular system. Additionally, we provide an update on the function of EVs in cardiovascular pathophysiology, further highlighting their potential for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.PMID:33666501 | DOI:10.1152/ajpheart.00925.2020
Source: American Journal of Physiology. Heart and Circulatory Physiology - Category: Physiology Authors: Source Type: research