Extracellular vesicles in neurodegenerative diseases: Insights and New Perspectives

Publication date: Available online 14 December 2019Source: Genes & DiseasesAuthor(s): Qian Yuan, Xiao-dong Li, Si-miao Zhang, Hong-wei Wang, Yun-liang WangAbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicle-like substances released by eukaryotic cells. Based on their origin and size, EVs are mainly divided into exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies, and they are secreted by eukaryotic cells under physiological and pathological conditions. EVs are enriched with nucleic acids, proteins and other factors. EVs can regulate the function of adjacent and distant cells, and they are even involved in the pathogenesis of diseases. They contain proteins associated with the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as the α-synuclein (α-syn) and tau proteins, which suggest potential roles for EVs as biomarkers and carriers of drugs and other therapeutic molecules that can cross the blood-brain barrier to treat NDs. In this review, we summarized the function of EVs in the pathogenesis of different NDs and related advances in EVs as diagnostic biomarkers and treatments for diseases.

Source: Genes and Diseases - December 15, 2019 Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Source Type: research