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Current Insights into the Role of Exosomes in Intercellular Communication

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Biology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2024 | Viewed by 3082

Special Issue Editor

Rabin Medical Center Israel, Petah Tiqwa, Israel
Interests: exosomes; microenvironment; telomeres; telomerase; hematological cancers
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles (EVs) ranging in diameter from 30 to 150nm. Formed by the endosomal membrane, they are practically secreted from all types of cells and cell microenvironments. In the human body, they travel in bodily liquids including the blood, saliva, urine, etc. Exosomes contain thousands of molecules, including nucleic acids of all types, proteins, and lipids, reflecting the molecular makeup of their cells of origin. Upon travelling in bodily liquids, they may be engulfed by other recipient cells, where they release their cargo. Since part of the molecular cargo is biologically active, it may interfere with the host cells’ signal transduction pathways upon their cellular integration. Therefore, exosomes are considered mediators of cell–cell communications.

As such, their roles in numerous biological activities are continuously being reported.

For this Special Issue of IJMS, we are gathering manuscripts focusing on the various roles of exosomes in cell–cell communications in all biological systems.

Dr. Orit Uziel
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. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • exosomes
  • extravesicles
  • intracellular communication

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3401 KiB  
Article
Oral Microbially-Induced Small Extracellular Vesicles Cross the Blood–Brain Barrier
by Mahmoud Elashiry, Angelica Carroll, Jessie Yuan, Yutao Liu, Mark Hamrick, Christopher W. Cutler, Qin Wang and Ranya Elsayed
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(8), 4509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25084509 - 20 Apr 2024
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Abstract
Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and its gingipain proteases contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis through yet unclear mechanisms. Cellular secretion of small extracellular vesicles or exosomes (EXO) increases with aging as part of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We have shown that EXO isolated [...] Read more.
Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and its gingipain proteases contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis through yet unclear mechanisms. Cellular secretion of small extracellular vesicles or exosomes (EXO) increases with aging as part of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). We have shown that EXO isolated from Pg-infected dendritic cells contain gingipains and other Pg antigens and transmit senescence to bystander gingival cells, inducing alveolar bone loss in mice in vivo. Here, EXO were isolated from the gingiva of mice and humans with/without periodontitis (PD) to determine their ability to penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in vitro and in vivo. PD was induced by Pg oral gavage for 6 weeks in C57B6 mice. EXO isolated from the gingiva or brain of donor Pg-infected (PD EXO) or control animals (Con EXO) were characterized by NTA, Western blot, and TEM. Gingival PD EXO or Con EXO were labeled and injected into the gingiva of uninfected WT mouse model. EXO biodistribution in brains was tracked by an in vivo imaging system (IVIS) and confocal microscopy. The effect of human PD EXO on BBB integrity and permeability was examined using TEER and FITC dextran assays in a human in vitro 3D model of the BBB. Pg antigens (RGP and Mfa-1) were detected in EXO derived from gingival and brain tissues of donor Pg-infected mice. Orally injected PD EXO from donor mice penetrated the brains of recipient uninfected mice and colocalized with hippocampal microglial cells. IL-1β and IL-6 were expressed in human PD EXO and not in Con EXO. Human PD EXO promoted BBB permeability and penetrated the BBB in vitro. This is the first demonstration that microbial-induced EXO in the oral cavity can disseminate, cross the BBB, and may contribute to AD pathogenesis. Full article
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18 pages, 10160 KiB  
Article
Comprehensive Analysis of Exosomal MicroRNAs Derived from UVB-Irradiated Keratinocytes as Potential Melanogenesis Regulators
by Jee-Hoe Yoon, Chan-Song Jo and Jae-Sung Hwang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(6), 3095; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25063095 - 07 Mar 2024
Viewed by 601
Abstract
The exosomes derived from keratinocytes can have a substantial impact on melanogenesis by influencing melanocytes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated within exosomes are implicated in the control of melanogenesis, particularly when under the influence of UVB irradiation. This investigation explores UVB-induced exosomal miRNAs from keratinocytes [...] Read more.
The exosomes derived from keratinocytes can have a substantial impact on melanogenesis by influencing melanocytes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated within exosomes are implicated in the control of melanogenesis, particularly when under the influence of UVB irradiation. This investigation explores UVB-induced exosomal miRNAs from keratinocytes as potential regulators of melanogenesis. UVB-irradiated, keratinocyte-derived exosomes were observed to augment melanogenesis in melanocytes, resulting in an upregulation of MITF, TRP1, TRP2, and TYR expression compared to non-UVB-irradiated exosomes. Additionally, a subset of exosomal miRNAs was differentially selected and confirmed to exert both enhancing and inhibitory effects on melanogenesis through functional assays. Notably, hsa-miR-644a, hsa-miR-365b-5p, and hsa-miR-29c-3p were found to upregulate melanogenesis, while hsa-miR-18a-5p, hsa-miR-197-5p, and hsa-miR-4281 downregulated melanogenesis. These findings suggest the involvement of keratinocyte-derived exosomal miRNAs in melanogenesis regulation within melanocytes. The expression levels of exosomal miRNAs from keratinocytes exhibited a UVB-dependent increase, indicating a potential role for these miRNAs as regulators of melanogenesis in response to UVB irradiation. Furthermore, melanogenesis was found to be dependent on exosomes derived from keratinocytes. This underscores the potential of UVB-induced exosomal miRNAs derived from keratinocytes as regulators of melanogenesis. Moreover, this study unveils a significant role for exosomes in melanocyte pigmentation, presenting a novel pathway in the intricate process of melanogenesis. Full article
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Review

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29 pages, 1080 KiB  
Review
Cell Type-Specific Extracellular Vesicles and Their Impact on Health and Disease
by Sohil Amin, Hamed Massoumi, Deepshikha Tewari, Arnab Roy, Madhurima Chaudhuri, Cedra Jazayerli, Abhi Krishan, Mannat Singh, Mohammad Soleimani, Emine E. Karaca, Arash Mirzaei, Victor H. Guaiquil, Mark I. Rosenblatt, Ali R. Djalilian and Elmira Jalilian
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(5), 2730; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25052730 - 27 Feb 2024
Viewed by 1663
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a diverse group of cell-derived exocytosed particles, are pivotal in mediating intercellular communication due to their ability to selectively transfer biomolecules to specific cell types. EVs, composed of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, are taken up by cells to affect [...] Read more.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a diverse group of cell-derived exocytosed particles, are pivotal in mediating intercellular communication due to their ability to selectively transfer biomolecules to specific cell types. EVs, composed of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids, are taken up by cells to affect a variety of signaling cascades. Research in the field has primarily focused on stem cell-derived EVs, with a particular focus on mesenchymal stem cells, for their potential therapeutic benefits. Recently, tissue-specific EVs or cell type-specific extracellular vesicles (CTS-EVs), have garnered attention for their unique biogenesis and molecular composition because they enable highly targeted cell-specific communication. Various studies have outlined the roles that CTS-EVs play in the signaling for physiological function and the maintenance of homeostasis, including immune modulation, tissue regeneration, and organ development. These properties are also exploited for disease propagation, such as in cancer, neurological disorders, infectious diseases, autoimmune conditions, and more. The insights gained from analyzing CTS-EVs in different biological roles not only enhance our understanding of intercellular signaling and disease pathogenesis but also open new avenues for innovative diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for a wide spectrum of medical conditions. This review comprehensively outlines the current understanding of CTS-EV origins, function within normal physiology, and implications in diseased states. Full article
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