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Review
. 2016 Sep 14;9(Suppl 1):1-8.
doi: 10.4137/CPath.S39925. eCollection 2016.

Modulation of Immune Responses by Exosomes Derived from Antigen-Presenting Cells

Affiliations
Review

Modulation of Immune Responses by Exosomes Derived from Antigen-Presenting Cells

Botros B Shenoda et al. Clin Med Insights Pathol. .

Abstract

Exosome-mediated signaling is important in mediating the inflammatory response. To exert their biological or pathophysiological functions in the recipient cells, exosomes deliver a diverse array of biomacromolecules including long and short coding and non-coding RNAs, proteins, and lipids. Exosomes secreted by antigen-presenting cells can confer therapeutic benefits by attenuating or stimulating the immune response. Exosomes play a crucial role in carrying and presenting functional major histocompatibility peptide complexes to modulate antigen-specific T cell responses. Exosomes from Dendritic Cells (DCs) can activate T and B cells and have been explored for their immunostimulatory properties in cancer therapy. The immunosuppressive properties of exosomes derived from macrophages and DCs can reduce inflammation in animal models for several inflammatory disorders. This review focuses on the protective role of exosomes in attenuating inflammation or augmenting immune response, emphasizing studies on exosomes derived from DCs and macrophages.

Keywords: dendritic cells; exosomes; inflammation; macrophages.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Immunomodulatory effects of exosomes derived from APCs. Notes: (A) Exosomes released from APCs including Dendritic Cells (DCs) and macrophages can play a role in carrying and presenting functional MHC–peptide complexes. This presentation can be direct or occur as a cross-presentation. Exosomes can thus establish a bi-directional mode of communication between APCs and immune cells. (B) Exosomes secreted by APCs can have both immunostimulatory and immunosuppressive effects. Dex augment anticancer immune response by enhancing NK and T-cell effector functions. Immunosuppressive effects have been demonstrated for exosomes secreted by DCs and macrophages. Exosomes produced by DCs engineered to over express certain genes including IL-10 and IL-4 reduced inflammation in murine models of arthritis. Exosomes from LPS-stimulated macrophages can reduce thermal hyperalgesia and edema in a mouse model of inflammatory pain.

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