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Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases

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A special issue of Diagnostics (ISSN 2075-4418). This special issue belongs to the section "Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 October 2020) | Viewed by 40078

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Silvia Stella Barbieri

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor

Unit of Head of Brain-Heart Axis: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms, Centro Cardiologico Monzino IRCCS, Via C. Parea, 4_20138 Milano, Italy
Interests: thrombosis; platelets; coagulation; extracellular vesicles; neurotrophins; oxidative stress; animal models; cellular models; behavioural and psychological factors; vascular biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Silvia Cerri

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor

Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology, IRCCS Mondino Foundation, 26866 Pavia, Italy
Interests: Parkinson’s disease; risk factors; alpha-synuclein; glucocerebrosidase; extracellular vesicles; animal models; cellular models; therapeutic strategies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of cell-to-cell communication. They are small membrane vesicles released by most cell types and detectable in different body fluids, including blood, serum, plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva. and urine. EVs are classified into three major groups characterized by size and origin: exosomes, microvesicles, and apoptotic bodies. They play important roles in both physiological and pathological conditions. EVs are a reservoir of lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids, including microRNAs and noncoding RNA, and for this, they represent an attractive diagnostic tool for a non-invasive liquid biopsy. Their physiological and biochemical properties have suggested their use as a therapeutic tool in tissue regeneration as well as a novel option for drug delivery. However, their use as biomarkers in real clinical practice is actually hampered by technical challenges and standardization in their isolation, quantification, and characterization.

This Special Issue will cover the relevance of EVs both as biomarkers of pathology and as a therapeutic tool. Papers describing new technical methods and the development of specific platforms to characterize and investigate EV biological functions will also be considered.

Dr. Silvia Stella Barbieri
Dr. Silvia Cerri
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diagnostics is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Extracellular vesicles
Microparticles
Exosomes
Biomarkers
Chronic diseases
Therapeutic potential

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 1179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Urinary Extracellular Vesicle Protein Profiles Discriminate Different Clinical Subgroups of Children with Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome

by Lucia Santorelli, William Morello, Elisa Barigazzi, Giulia Capitoli, Chiara Tamburello, Luciana Ghio, Barbara Crapella, Stefania Galimberti, Giovanni Montini, Marina Pitto and Francesca Raimondo

Diagnostics 2021, 11(3), 456; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11030456 - 06 Mar 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2155

Abstract

Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is the most frequent primary glomerular disease in children, displaying high grade proteinuria and oedema. The mainstay of therapy are steroids, and patients are usually classified according to the treatment response (sensitive vs. resistant). The mechanisms involved in INS pathogenesis and treatment responsiveness have not yet been identified. In this context, the analysis of urinary extracellular vesicles (UEv) is interesting, since they represent a molecular snapshot of the parental cells, offering a “fingerprint” for monitoring their status. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify the feasibility of using UEv of INS patients as indicators of therapy response and its prediction. UEv were isolated from the urine of pediatric patients in remission after therapy; they showed characteristic electrophoresis profiles that matched specific patient subgroups. We then built a statistical model to interpret objectively each patient UEv protein profile: in particular, steroid-resistant patients cluster together with a very distinct pattern from other INS patients and controls. In conclusion, the evaluation of the UEv protein profile looks promising in the investigation of INS, showing a disease signature that might predict clinical evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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13 pages, 2820 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Increased Tenascin C, Osteopontin and HSP90 Levels in Plasmatic Small Extracellular Vesicles of Pediatric ALK-Positive Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma: New Prognostic Biomarkers?

by Federica Lovisa, Anna Garbin, Sara Crotti, Piero Di Battista, Ilaria Gallingani, Carlotta Caterina Damanti, Anna Tosato, Elisa Carraro, Marta Pillon, Erfan Mafakheri, Filippo Romanato, Enrico Gaffo, Alessandra Biffi, Stefania Bortoluzzi, Marco Agostini and Lara Mussolin

Diagnostics 2021, 11(2), 253; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11020253 - 06 Feb 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2601

Abstract

Over the past 15 years, several biological and pathological characteristics proved their significance in pediatric anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) prognostic stratification. However, the identification of new non-invasive disease biomarkers, relying on the most important disease mechanisms, is still necessary. In recent years, plasmatic circulating small extracellular vesicles (S-EVs) gathered great importance both as stable biomarker carriers and active players in tumorigenesis. In the present work, we performed a comprehensive study on the proteomic composition of plasmatic S-EVs of pediatric ALCL patients compared to healthy donors (HDs). By using a mass spectrometry-based proteomics approach, we identified 50 proteins significantly overrepresented in S-EVs of ALCL patients. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis disclosed cellular components and molecular functions connected with S-EV origin and vesicular trafficking, whereas cell adhesion, glycosaminoglycan metabolic process, extracellular matrix organization, collagen fibril organization and acute phase response were the most enriched biological processes. Of importance, consistently with the presence of nucleophosmin (NPM)-ALK fusion protein in ALCL cells, a topological enrichment analysis based on Reactome- and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)-derived networks highlighted a dramatic increase in proteins of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway in ALCL S-EVs, which included heat shock protein 90-kDa isoform alpha 1 (HSP90AA1), osteopontin (SPP1/OPN) and tenascin C (TNC). These results were validated by Western blotting analysis on a panel of ALCL and HD cases. Further research is warranted to better define the role of these S-EV proteins as diagnostic and, possibly, prognostic parameters at diagnosis and for ALCL disease monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 4193 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Characterization of CD147, CA9, and CD70 as Tumor-Specific Markers on Extracellular Vesicles in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

by Dirk Himbert, Philip Zeuschner, Hiresh Ayoubian, Joana Heinzelmann, Michael Stöckle and Kerstin Junker

Diagnostics 2020, 10(12), 1034; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10121034 - 02 Dec 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3215

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted by healthy and tumor cells and are involved in cell–cell communication. Tumor-released EVs could represent a new class of biomarkers from liquid biopsies. The aim of this study was to identify tumor-specific EV markers in clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) using cell lines and patient-derived tissue samples. EVs from ccRCC cell lines (786-O, RCC53, Caki1, and Caki2) and patient tissues were isolated via ultracentrifugation. EVs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blotting using exosome and putative tumor markers (epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM), carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), CD70, CD147). The tumor markers were verified using immunohistochemistry. CA9 was expressed in Caki2 cells and EVs, and CD147 was found in the cells and EVs of all tested ccRCC cell lines. In tumor tissues, we found an increased expression of CA9, CD70, and CD147 were increased in cell lysates and EV fractions compared to normal tissues. In contrast, EpCAM was heterogeneously expressed in tumor samples and positive in normal tissue. To conclude, we developed an effective technique to isolate EVs directly from human tissue samples with high purity and high concentration. In contrast to EpCAM, CA9, CD70, and CD147 could represent promising markers to identify tumor-specific EVs in ccRCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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10 pages, 920 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Plasma Exosomal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Correlated with the Postural Instability and Gait Disturbance–Related Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease

by Chen Chih Chung, Pai Hao Huang, Lung Chan, Jia-Hung Chen, Li-Nien Chien and Chien Tai Hong

Diagnostics 2020, 10(9), 684; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10090684 - 11 Sep 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2800

Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an essential neurotrophin, responsible for neuronal development, function, and survival. Assessments of peripheral blood BDNF in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) previously yielded inconsistent results. Plasma exosomes can carry BDNF, so this study investigated the role of plasma exosomal BDNF level as a biomarker of PD. A total of 114 patients with mild to moderate PD and 42 non-PD controls were recruited, and their clinical presentations were evaluated. Plasma exosomes were isolated with exoEasy Maxi Kits, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to assess plasma exosomal BDNF levels. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 19.0, and findings were considered significant at p < 0.05. The analysis revealed no significant differences in plasma exosomal BDNF levels between patients with PD and controls. Patients with PD with low plasma exosomal BDNF levels (in the lowest quartile) exhibited a significant association with daily activity dysfunction but not with cognition/mood or overall motor symptoms as assessed using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Investigation of UPDRS part III subitems revealed that low plasma exosomal BDNF level was significantly associated with increased motor severity of postural instability and gait disturbance (PIGD)-associated symptoms (rising from a chair, gait, and postural stability) after adjustment for age and sex. In conclusion, although plasma exosomal BDNF level could not distinguish patients with PD from controls, the association with PIGD symptoms in patients with PD may indicate its potential role as a biomarker. Follow-up studies should investigate the association between plasma exosomal BDNF levels and changes in clinical symptoms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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11 pages, 1581 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Expression Analysis of Muscle-Specific miRNAs in Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles from Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

by Sara Carpi, Beatrice Polini, Dario Nieri, Nevio Dubbini, Alessandro Celi, Paola Nieri and Tommaso Neri

Diagnostics 2020, 10(7), 502; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10070502 - 21 Jul 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2598

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short non-coding RNAs involved in the regulation of gene expression and the control of several cellular processes at physiological and pathological levels. Furthermore, extracellular vesicles (EV), which are small membrane-bound vesicles secreted by cells in the extracellular environment, contain functional miRNAs. The remarkable deregulation of many miRNAs has been demonstrated in respiratory diseases. Among them, miR-206, miR-133a-5p, and miR-133a-3p are striated muscle-specific miRNAs (myo-miRNA), related to skeletal muscle dysfunction, one of the commonest systemic manifestations in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nevertheless, their circulating expression in COPD patients is not demonstrated. For these reasons, we performed a pilot study to analyze the expression profiles of myo-miRNAs in plasma-derived EV from patients with COPD. We analyzed the expression profiles of selected myo-miRNAs in plasma-derived EV from COPD. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were carried out to evaluate whether selected plasma miRNAs were able to discriminate between different groups of COPD patients. We found EV-embedded myo-miRNAs in the bloodstream of COPD patients. Specifically, miR-206, miR-133a-5p and miR-133a-3p were significantly upregulated in group B patients. Receiver operating characteristic analyses of the combination of these selected miRNAs showed their high capacity to discriminate group B from other COPD patients. Our data provide evidence that myo-miRNA are present in EV in the plasma of COPD patients and their expression (miR-206, miR-133a-5p, and miR-133a-3p) can discriminate group B from group C patients. The future analysis of a larger number of patients should allow us to obtain more refined correlations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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10 pages, 1462 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Circulatory Astrocyte and Neuronal EVs as Potential Biomarkers of Neurological Dysfunction in HIV-Infected Subjects and Alcohol/Tobacco Users

by Sunitha Kodidela, Kelli Gerth, Namita Sinha, Asit Kumar, Prashant Kumar and Santosh Kumar

Diagnostics 2020, 10(6), 349; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10060349 - 28 May 2020

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3182

Abstract

The diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders associated with HIV infection, alcohol, and tobacco using CSF or neuroimaging are invasive or expensive methods, respectively. Therefore, extracellular vesicles (EVs) can serve as reliable noninvasive markers due to their bidirectional transport of cargo from the brain to the systemic circulation. Hence, our objective was to investigate the expression of astrocytic (GFAP) and neuronal (L1CAM) specific proteins in EVs circulated in the plasma of HIV subjects, with and without a history of alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking. The protein expression of GFAP (p < 0.01) was significantly enhanced in plasma EVs obtained from HIV-positive subjects and alcohol users compared to healthy subjects, suggesting enhanced activation of astrocytes in those subjects. The L1CAM expression was found to be significantly elevated in cigarette smokers (p < 0.05). However, its expression was not found to be significant in HIV subjects and alcohol users. Both GFAP and L1CAM levels were not further elevated in HIV-positive alcohol or tobacco users compared to HIV-positive nonsubstance users. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the astrocytic and neuronal-specific markers (GFAP and L1CAM) can be packaged in EVs and circulate in plasma, which is further elevated in the presence of HIV infection, alcohol, and/or tobacco. Thus, the astroglial marker GFAP and neuronal marker L1CAM may represent potential biomarkers targeting neurological dysfunction upon HIV infection and/or alcohol/tobacco consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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Review

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15 pages, 1868 KiB

Open AccessReview

Diagnostic and Therapeutic Applications of Extracellular Vesicles in Interstitial Lung Diseases

by Abdulrahman Ibrahim, Ahmed Ibrahim and Tanyalak Parimon

Diagnostics 2021, 11(1), 87; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics11010087 - 07 Jan 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2996

Abstract

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are chronic irreversible pulmonary conditions with significant morbidity and mortality. Diagnostic approaches to ILDs are complex and multifactorial. Effective therapeutic interventions are continuously investigated and explored with substantial progress, thanks to advances in basic understanding and translational efforts. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) offer a new paradigm in diagnosis and treatment. This leads to two significant implications: new disease biomarker discovery that enables reliable diagnosis and disease assessment and the development of regenerative medicine therapeutics that target fibroproliferative processes in diseased lung tissue. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the role of diseased tissue-derived EVs in the development of interstitial lung diseases, the utility of these EVs as diagnostic and prognostic tools, and the existing therapeutic utility of EVs. Furthermore, we review the potential therapeutic application of EVs derived from various cellular sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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30 pages, 679 KiB

Open AccessReview

Extracellular Vesicles in Hematological Malignancies: From Biomarkers to Therapeutic Tools

by Jihane Khalife, James F. Sanchez and Flavia Pichiorri

Diagnostics 2020, 10(12), 1065; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10121065 - 09 Dec 2020

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3075

Abstract

Small extracellular vesicles (EVs) are a heterogenous group of lipid particles released by all cell types in physiological and pathological states. In hematological malignancies, tumor-derived EVs are critical players in mediating intercellular communications through the transfer of genetic materials and proteins between neoplastic cells themselves and to several components of the bone marrow microenvironment, rendering the latter a “stronger” niche supporting cancer cell proliferation, drug resistance, and escape from immune surveillance. In this context, the molecular cargoes of tumor-derived EVs reflect the nature and status of the cells of origin, making them specific therapeutic targets. Another important characteristic of EVs in hematological malignancies is their use as a potential “liquid biopsy” because of their high abundance in biofluids and their ability to protect their molecular cargoes from nuclease and protease degradation. Liquid biopsies are non-invasive blood tests that provide a molecular profiling clinical tool as an alternative method of disease stratification, especially in cancer patients where solid biopsies have limited accessibility. They offer accurate diagnoses and identify specific biomarkers for monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment. In this review, we will focus on the role of EVs in the most prevalent hematological malignancies, particularly on their prospective use as biomarkers in the context of liquid biopsies, as well as their molecular signature that identifies them as specific therapeutic targets for inhibiting cancer progression. We will also highlight their roles in modulating the immune response by acting as both immunosuppressors and activators of anti-tumor immunity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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17 pages, 1381 KiB

Open AccessReview

Clinical Applications of Mesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cell Derived Extracellular Vesicles: Therapeutic Potential of an Acellular Product

by Margherita Massa, Stefania Croce, Rita Campanelli, Carlotta Abbà, Elisa Lenta, Chiara Valsecchi and Maria Antonietta Avanzini

Diagnostics 2020, 10(12), 999; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10120999 - 24 Nov 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 3699

Abstract

In the last decade, the secreting activity of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) has been widely investigated, due to its possible therapeutic role. In fact, MSCs release extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing relevant biomolecules such as mRNAs, microRNAs, bioactive lipids, and signaling receptors, able to restore physiological conditions where regenerative or anti-inflammatory actions are needed. An actual advantage would come from the therapeutic use of EVs with respect to MSCs, avoiding the possible immune rejection, the lung entrapment, improving the safety, and allowing the crossing of biological barriers. A number of concerns still have to be solved regarding the mechanisms determining the beneficial effect of MSC-EVs, the possible alteration of their properties as a consequence of the isolation/purification methods, and/or the best approach for a large-scale production for clinical use. Most of the preclinical studies have been successful, reporting for MSC-EVs a protecting role in acute kidney injury following ischemia reperfusion, a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects by reducing disease associated inflammation and fibrosis in lung and liver, and the modulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses in graft versus host disease (GVHD) as well as autoimmune diseases. However, the translation of MSC-EVs to the clinical stage is still at the initial phase. Herein, we discuss the therapeutic potential of an acellular product such as MSC derived EVs (MSC-EVs) in acute and chronic pathologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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24 pages, 1205 KiB

Open AccessReview

Exosomes in Cardiovascular Diseases

by Marta Zarà, Patrizia Amadio, Jeness Campodonico, Leonardo Sandrini and Silvia S. Barbieri

Diagnostics 2020, 10(11), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10110943 - 12 Nov 2020

Cited by 40 | Viewed by 4210

Abstract

Exosomes are nano-sized biovesicles of endocytic origin physiologically released by nearly all cell types into surrounding body fluids. They carry cell-specific cargos of protein, lipids, and genetic materials and can be selectively taken up by neighboring or distant cells. Since the intrinsic properties of exosomes are strictly influenced by the state of the parental cell and by the cellular microenvironment, the analysis of exosome origin and content, and their cell-targeting specificity, make them attractive as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. While the possible role of exosomes as messengers and a regenerative tool in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is actively investigated, the evidence about their usefulness as biomarkers is still limited and incomplete. Further complications are due to the lack of consensus regarding the most appropriate approach for exosome isolation and characterization, both important issues for their effective clinical translation. As a consequence, in this review, we will discuss the few information currently accessible about the diagnostic/prognostic potential of exosomes in CVDs and on the methodologies available for exosome isolation, analysis, and characterization. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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34 pages, 1435 KiB

Open AccessReview

Proteomics of Extracellular Vesicles: Update on Their Composition, Biological Roles and Potential Use as Diagnostic Tools in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Diseases

by Alice Mallia, Erica Gianazza, Beatrice Zoanni, Maura Brioschi, Silvia Stella Barbieri and Cristina Banfi

Diagnostics 2020, 10(10), 843; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10100843 - 19 Oct 2020

Cited by 23 | Viewed by 4273

Abstract

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid-bound vesicles released from cells under physiological and pathological conditions. Basing on biogenesis, dimension, content and route of secretion, they can be classified into exosomes, microvesicles (MVs) and apoptotic bodies. EVs have a key role as bioactive mediators in intercellular communication, but they are also involved in other physiological processes like immune response, blood coagulation, and tissue repair. The interest in studying EVs has increased over the years due to their involvement in several diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and their potential role as biomarkers in diagnosis, therapy, and in drug delivery system development. Nowadays, the improvement of mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques allows the characterization of the EV protein composition to deeply understand their role in several diseases. In this review, a critical overview is provided on the EV’s origin and physical properties, as well as their emerging functional role in both physiological and disease conditions, focusing attention on the role of exosomes in CVDs. The most important cardiac exosome proteomic studies will be discussed giving a qualitative and quantitative characterization of the exosomal proteins that could be used in future as new potential diagnostic markers or targets for specific therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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9 pages, 584 KiB

Open AccessReview

Urinary Extracellular Vesicles as Biomarkers of Kidney Disease: From Diagnostics to Therapeutics

by In O. Sun and Lilach O. Lerman

Diagnostics 2020, 10(5), 311; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/diagnostics10050311 - 16 May 2020

Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4181

Abstract

Cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be isolated from various body fluids, including urine. Urinary EVs have gained important recognition as potential diagnostic biomarkers in renal disease since their cargo includes nucleic acids, proteins, and other cellular components, which likely mirror the physiological and possibly pathophysiological state of cells along the nephron. Accumulating evidence highlights the feasibility of using EVs as biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic purposes in several forms of renal disease, such as acute kidney injury, glomerulonephritis, and renal transplantation. Additionally, exogenous delivery of EVs released in vitro by cells in culture may have salutary benefits for renal diseases. In this review, we introduce recent studies that attempt to identify urinary EVs as candidate biomarkers for human kidney diseases and consider their potential implication as a therapeutic option in key kidney diseases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnostic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) in Chronic Diseases)

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