scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles and MicroRNA: Putative Role in Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Martins ◽  
Madania Amorim ◽  
Flávio Reis ◽  
António Francisco Ambrósio ◽  
Rosa Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cell Junctions ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Advanced Stages

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a complex, progressive, and heterogenous retinal degenerative disease associated with diabetes duration. It is characterized by glial, neural, and microvascular dysfunction, being the blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown a hallmark of the early stages. In advanced stages, there is formation of new blood vessels, which are fragile and prone to leaking. This disease, if left untreated, may result in severe vision loss and eventually legal blindness. Although there are some available treatment options for DR, most of them are targeted to the advanced stages of the disease, have some adverse effects, and many patients do not adequately respond to the treatment, which demands further research. Oxidative stress and low-grade inflammation are closely associated processes that play a critical role in the development of DR. Retinal cells communicate with each other or with another one, using cell junctions, adhesion contacts, and secreted soluble factors that can act in neighboring or long-distance cells. Another mechanism of cell communication is via secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs), through exchange of material. Here, we review the current knowledge on deregulation of cell-to-cell communication through EVs, discussing the changes in miRNA expression profiling in body fluids and their role in the development of DR. Thereafter, current and promising therapeutic agents for preventing the progression of DR will be discussed.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles, Influential Players of Intercellular Communication within Adult Neurogenic Niches

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (22) ◽  
pp. 8819
Author(s):  
Morris Losurdo ◽  
Mariagrazia Grilli
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Ventricular Zone ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Physiological Role ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Biologically Active

Adult neurogenesis, involving the generation of functional neurons from adult neural stem cells (NSCs), occurs constitutively in discrete brain regions such as hippocampus, sub-ventricular zone (SVZ) and hypothalamus. The intrinsic structural plasticity of the neurogenic process allows the adult brain to face the continuously changing external and internal environment and requires coordinated interplay between all cell types within the specialized microenvironment of the neurogenic niche. NSC-, neuronal- and glia-derived factors, originating locally, regulate the balance between quiescence and self-renewal of NSC, their differentiation programs and the survival and integration of newborn cells. Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) are emerging as important mediators of cell-to-cell communication, representing an efficient way to transfer the biologically active cargos (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids) by which they modulate the function of the recipient cells. Current knowledge of the physiological role of EVs within adult neurogenic niches is rather limited. In this review, we will summarize and discuss EV-based cross-talk within adult neurogenic niches and postulate how EVs might play a critical role in the regulation of the neurogenic process.

scholarly journals Cell-to-Cell Communication by Host-Released Extracellular Vesicles in the Gut: Implications in Health and Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 2213
Author(s):  
Natalia Diaz-Garrido ◽  
Cecilia Cordero ◽  
Yenifer Olivo-Martinez ◽  
Josefa Badia ◽  
Laura Baldomà
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Immune Functions ◽  
Intestinal Homeostasis ◽  
General Terms ◽  
Health And Disease

Communication between cells is crucial to preserve body homeostasis and health. Tightly controlled intercellular dialog is particularly relevant in the gut, where cells of the intestinal mucosa are constantly exposed to millions of microbes that have great impact on intestinal homeostasis by controlling barrier and immune functions. Recent knowledge involves extracellular vesicles (EVs) as mediators of such communication by transferring messenger bioactive molecules including proteins, lipids, and miRNAs between cells and tissues. The specific functions of EVs principally depend on the internal cargo, which upon delivery to target cells trigger signal events that modulate cellular functions. The vesicular cargo is greatly influenced by genetic, pathological, and environmental factors. This finding provides the basis for investigating potential clinical applications of EVs as therapeutic targets or diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we review current knowledge on the biogenesis and cargo composition of EVs in general terms. We then focus the attention to EVs released by cells of the intestinal mucosa and their impact on intestinal homeostasis in health and disease. We specifically highlight their role on epithelial barrier integrity, wound healing of epithelial cells, immunity, and microbiota shaping. Microbiota-derived EVs are not reviewed here.

scholarly journals Extracellular Vesicles: An Emerging Nanoplatform for Cancer Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifan Ma ◽  
Shiyan Dong ◽  
Xuefeng Li ◽  
Betty Y. S. Kim ◽  
Zhaogang Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Drug Delivery Systems ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Drug Loading ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Therapeutic Function ◽  
Cancer Studies ◽  
Potential Use

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-derived membrane particles that represent an endogenous mechanism for cell-to-cell communication. Since discovering that EVs have multiple advantages over currently available delivery platforms, such as their ability to overcome natural barriers, intrinsic cell targeting properties, and circulation stability, the potential use of EVs as therapeutic nanoplatforms for cancer studies has attracted considerable interest. To fully elucidate EVs’ therapeutic function for treating cancer, all current knowledge about cellular uptake and trafficking of EVs will be initially reviewed. In order to further improve EVs as anticancer therapeutics, engineering strategies for cancer therapy have been widely explored in the last decade, along with other cancer therapies. However, therapeutic applications of EVs as drug delivery systems have been limited because of immunological concerns, lack of methods to scale EV production, and efficient drug loading. We will review and discuss recent progress and remaining challenges in developing EVs as a delivery nanoplatform for cancer therapy.

Extracellular vesicles: their role in cancer biology and epithelial–mesenchymal transition

2016 ◽  
Vol 474 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shashi K. Gopal ◽  
David W. Greening ◽  
Alin Rai ◽  
Maoshan Chen ◽  
Rong Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Cancer Biology ◽  
Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Metastatic Potential ◽  
Messenger Rnas ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Non Coding Rna ◽  
Long Non Coding Rna

Cell–cell communication is critical across an assortment of physiological and pathological processes. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an integral facet of intercellular communication largely through the transfer of functional cargo such as proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNA (miRNAs), DNAs and lipids. EVs, especially exosomes and shed microvesicles, represent an important delivery medium in the tumour micro-environment through the reciprocal dissemination of signals between cancer and resident stromal cells to facilitate tumorigenesis and metastasis. An important step of the metastatic cascade is the reprogramming of cancer cells from an epithelial to mesenchymal phenotype (epithelial–mesenchymal transition, EMT), which is associated with increased aggressiveness, invasiveness and metastatic potential. There is now increasing evidence demonstrating that EVs released by cells undergoing EMT are reprogrammed (protein and RNA content) during this process. This review summarises current knowledge of EV-mediated functional transfer of proteins and RNA species (mRNA, miRNA, long non-coding RNA) between cells in cancer biology and the EMT process. An in-depth understanding of EVs associated with EMT, with emphasis on molecular composition (proteins and RNA species), will provide fundamental insights into cancer biology.

scholarly journals Brain tumors in neurofibromatosis type 1

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i85-i97
Author(s):  
Amanda De Andrade Costa ◽  
David H Gutmann
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Growth ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Genetically Engineered Mice

Abstract AbstractAs a cancer predisposition syndrome, individuals with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk for the development of both benign and malignant tumors. One of the most common locations for these cancers is the central nervous system, where low-grade gliomas predominate in children. During early childhood, gliomas affecting the optic pathway are most frequently encountered, whereas gliomas of the brainstem and other locations are observed in slightly older children. In contrast, the majority of gliomas arising in adults with NF1 are malignant cancers, typically glioblastoma, involving the cerebral hemispheres. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of NF1-associated gliomas has been significantly advanced through the use of genetically engineered mice, yielding new targets for therapeutic drug design and evaluation. In addition, Nf1 murine glioma models have served as instructive platforms for defining the cell of origin of these tumors, elucidating the critical role of the tumor microenvironment in determining tumor growth and vision loss, and determining how cancer risk factors (sex, germline NF1 mutation) impact on glioma formation and progression. Moreover, these preclinical models have permitted early phase analysis of promising drugs that reduce tumor growth and attenuate vision loss, as an initial step prior to translation to human clinical trials.

scholarly journals Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor: Critical Role in Obesity, Insulin Resistance, and Associated Comorbidities

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Kleemann ◽  
Richard Bucala
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Migration Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Inhibitory Factor ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Macrophage Migration ◽  
Animal Models Of Disease ◽  
Models Of Disease

Obesity is associated with insulin resistance, disturbed glucose homeostasis, low grade inflammation, and comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an ubiquitously expressed protein that plays a crucial role in many inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. Increasing evidence suggests that MIF also controls metabolic and inflammatory processes underlying the development of metabolic pathologies associated with obesity. This is a comprehensive summary of our current knowledge on the role of MIF in obesity and obesity-associated comorbidities, based on human clinical data as well as animal models of disease.

scholarly journals Neurovascular Impairment and Therapeutic Strategies in Diabetic Retinopathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Toshiyuki Oshitari
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Glial Cells ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Neuronal Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Irreversible Change ◽  
Interdependent Relationships

Diabetic retinopathy has recently been defined as a highly specific neurovascular complication of diabetes. The chronic progression of the impairment of the interdependence of neurovascular units (NVUs) is associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. The NVUs consist of neurons, glial cells, and vascular cells, and the interdependent relationships between these cells are disturbed under diabetic conditions. Clinicians should understand and update the current knowledge of the neurovascular impairments in diabetic retinopathy. Above all, neuronal cell death is an irreversible change, and it is directly related to vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy. Thus, neuroprotective and vasoprotective therapies for diabetic retinopathy must be established. Understanding the physiological and pathological interdependence of the NVUs is helpful in establishing neuroprotective and vasoprotective therapies for diabetic retinopathy. This review focuses on the pathogenesis of the neurovascular impairments and introduces possible neurovascular protective therapies for diabetic retinopathy.

Combination Approaches Targeting Neurodegeneration, Oxidative stress and Inflammation in the Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siddhi Dilip Chalke ◽  
Pravin Popatrao Kale
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Early Stages ◽  
Advanced Stages ◽  
Severe Vision Loss ◽  
Angiopoietin 2 ◽  
Endothelial Growth Factor

: Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is one of the most severe ocular problems of diabetes. It is a microvascular complication that impairs the vision of diabetic individuals and can cause acquired blindness. Currently available treatment options like laser therapy, vitrectomy, intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents, and glucocorticoids help to reduce vision loss at advanced stages. In spite of the available therapies, patients with severe vision loss face difficulty in achieving normal vision. There is a need for development of newer treatment strategies to address the condition from the early stages. Multiple factors owing to complex pathophysiological events are responsible for this long-term complication. Neurodegeneration, inflammation, and oxidative stress are the three important factors associated with the development of DR. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to the onset and progression of DR. Pathological events like retinal neurodegeneration and inflammation damage the retina right in the early stages of DR. Different combinations of treatments targeting these pathological events are discussed in the present review. The first combination discussed is citicoline and resveratrol. The second combination is duloxetine and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). These combinations may help in the early stages of DR. CD5-2 and angiopoietin-2 inhibitors is the third combination. This combination may help to manage diabetic macular edema. The main purpose of this article is to discuss the link between these pathologies and the three combination approaches with the objective of consideration of newer therapeutic approaches in research related to DR treatment.

scholarly journals Exploiting Manipulated Small Extracellular Vesicles to Subvert Immunosuppression at the Tumor Microenvironment through Mannose Receptor/CD206 Targeting

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 6318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Luisa Fiani ◽  
Valeria Barreca ◽  
Massimo Sargiacomo ◽  
Flavia Ferrantelli ◽  
Francesco Manfredi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Microenvironment ◽  
Solid Tumors ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Tumor Development ◽  
Cell Communication ◽  
Mannose Receptor ◽  
Therapeutic Molecules ◽  
Ideal Tool

Immunosuppression at tumor microenvironment (TME) is one of the major obstacles to be overcome for an effective therapeutic intervention against solid tumors. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) comprise a sub-population that plays multiple pro-tumoral roles in tumor development including general immunosuppression, which can be identified in terms of high expression of mannose receptor (MR or CD206). Immunosuppressive TAMs, like other macrophage sub-populations, display functional plasticity that allows them to be re-programmed to inflammatory macrophages. In order to mitigate immunosuppression at the TME, several efforts are ongoing to effectively re-educate pro-tumoral TAMs. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), released by both normal and tumor cells types, are emerging as key mediators of the cell to cell communication and have been shown to have a role in the modulation of immune responses in the TME. Recent studies demonstrated the enrichment of high mannose glycans on the surface of small EVs (sEVs), a subtype of EVs of endosomal origin of 30–150 nm in diameter. This characteristic renders sEVs an ideal tool for the delivery of therapeutic molecules into MR/CD206-expressing TAMs. In this review, we report the most recent literature data highlighting the critical role of TAMs in tumor development, as well as the experimental evidences that has emerged from the biochemical characterization of sEV membranes. In addition, we propose an original way to target immunosuppressive TAMs at the TME by endogenously engineered sEVs for a new therapeutic approach against solid tumors.

scholarly journals Oxidative Stress and Microvascular Alterations in Diabetic Retinopathy: Future Therapies

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
María L. Rodríguez ◽  
Salvador Pérez ◽  
Salvador Mena-Mollá ◽  
M. Carmen Desco ◽  
Ángel Luis Ortega
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Diabetic Retinopathy ◽  
Vision Loss ◽  
Diabetic Macular Oedema ◽  
Argon Laser ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Oral Antidiabetic Agents ◽  
Recommended Treatment ◽  
Diabetic Eye Disease ◽  
Advanced Stages

Diabetes is a disease that can be treated with oral antidiabetic agents and/or insulin. However, patients’ metabolic control is inadequate in a high percentage of them and a major cause of chronic diseases like diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 15% of patients have some degree of diabetic retinopathy when diabetes is first diagnosed, and most will have developed this microvascular complication after 20 years. Early diagnosis of the disease is the best tool to prevent or delay vision loss and reduce the involved costs. However, diabetic retinopathy is an asymptomatic disease and its development to advanced stages reduces the effectiveness of treatments. Today, the recommended treatment for severe nonproliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy is photocoagulation with an argon laser and intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF associated with, or not, focal laser for diabetic macular oedema. The use of these therapeutic approaches is severely limited, such as uncomfortable administration for patients, long-term side effects, the costs they incur, and the therapeutic effectiveness of the employed management protocols. Hence, diabetic retinopathy is the widespread diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in adults in developed countries. The growing interest in using polyphenols, e.g., resveratrol, in treatments related to oxidative stress diseases has spread to diabetic retinopathy. This review focuses on analysing the sources and effects of oxidative stress and inflammation on vascular alterations and diabetic retinopathy development. Furthermore, current and antioxidant therapies, together with new molecular targets, are postulated for diabetic retinopathy treatment.

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